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Face Transplant Goes Unnoticed

Dr. Bernard Devauchelle, one of the surgeons who performed the groundbreaking procedure, says his patient is doing well and is focused on the future - the prospect of returning home from the hospital and restarting normal life. Privacy laws only enable the woman to be identified as "Isabelle." Dr. Devauchelle and his team are reportedly drawing up plans for five more face transplants.

Devauchelle explains, "Every day, with her face uncovered, she passes by people who don`t necessarily recognize her. She went walking to buy magazines without anyone noticing her. That`s perhaps the best proof of real integration." The 38-year-old divorced mother of two received her new features from a brain-dead donor on Nov. 27.

She was mauled by her pet Labrador last year, leaving her with severe injuries that her doctors said made it difficult for her to speak and eat. Now, she is performing normal tasks and functioning well. "there is a certain expressiveness that is slowly coming back," Dr. Devauchelle said.