Although the idea of face transplants is a little out there, Face/Off paving the way for a more sinister use of such a procedure, for some people it’s a reality.

Take Andy Sandness from Wyoming, USA, for example.

In 2006, Sandness lost most of his face after he put a rifle under his chin and pulled the trigger. According to Independent, the 32-year-old “lived as a recluse for almost 10 years because of embarrassment over his injuries”.

Then, last year, Calen “Rudy” Ross took his own life – and part of his face was then removed and given to Sandness:

Ross shot himself dead in Minnesota last year. His widow, who was eight months pregnant at the time, had already agreed that his organs should be donated when it was suggested to her that his face could also be transplanted.

Mr Ross and Mr Sandness’s ages, blood type, skin colour and facial structure were so similar that the surgeon who oversaw the operation, Dr Samir Mardini, said the two men could have been cousins.

The transplant operation lasted 56 hours and involved more than 60 medical professionals working to lay the donated face onto Mr Sandness’s tissue. Surgeons then restored his nose, jaws, teeth, salivary glands and facial muscles.

Andy Sandness, below left, is seen before his injuries. Calen “Rudy” Ross is seen at right:

Now, 16 months later, the clinic that oversaw the transplant arranged a meeting between Sandness and Ross’s wife, Lilly:

Ms Ross told the Associated Press she had been nervous about the meeting because she feared that seeing her husband’s face again would bring back painful memories.

However, the fact that Mr Sandness has very different eyes and bone structure means he does not resemble Mr Ross.

Take a look at the tearful meeting:

He said: “I wouldn’t go out in public. I hated going into bigger cities. And now I’m just really spreading my wings and doing the things I missed out on – going out to restaurants and eating, going dancing.”

Ms Ross said the meeting had given her “closure”, while Mr Sandness said he wanted to help contribute to a trust fund for Leonard’s education.

Explaining why he wanted to meet Ms Ross, he told her: “I wanted to show you that your gift will not be wasted.”

And there you have it.

You should probably think about signing up to be an organ donor. You never know what might happen and who might need a piece of you.

Pop over here to register.

[source:independent]