Back in July of 2018, Joe DiMeo of Clark, New Jersey was involved in a car crash that resulted in third-degree burns to over 80% of his body.
Since then, he has undergone 20 reconstructive surgeries which included amputating his fingertips, severe facial scarring, and the loss of his lips and eyelids. The loss of his eyelids actually resulted in a severely limited his ability to live a functional and independent life.
However, DiMeo now has a brand new life, as he recently became the recipient of the first successful face AND double hand transplant surgery in the world!
Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez led a team of more than 140 health care professionals, including surgeons, nurses, and other staff during the 23-hour procedure. Rodriguez said, "Joe was an ideal candidate for this procedure; he's extremely motivated and dedicated to recovering the independence he lost after his accident. Thanks to the institutional support we received here at NYU Langone and a world-class team committed to providing the best care for our patient, we've succeeded in a tremendous undertaking that shows we can continue to take on new challenges and advance the field of transplantation."
DiMeo underwent the 23-hour surgery on August 12, after being on the donor registry for ten months. DiMeo only had a 6% chance of finding a compatible donor.
DiMeo said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime gift, and I hope the family can take some comfort knowing that part of the donor lives on with me. My parents and I are very grateful that I've been given this second chance. We're also incredibly thankful to Dr. Rodriguez and the team of therapists, nurses, and surgeons who helped me get to where I am today."
Via ABC7
