This Man Got A Life-Changing Face Transplant After A Failed Suicide

It sounds like science fiction, or even the plot line to the 1997 film “Face/Off,” about an FBI agent who has a facial transplant and assumes the identity of the movie’s main villain.

But for Andy Sandness, face transplant surgery became a reality when he had to face some unfortunate circumstances.

Sandness went through a rough patch in his life which started way before his face became so badly disfigured. After struggling with depression, he finally gave in and attempted to end his life.

But he managed to survive. What came next is nothing short of a true and modern miracle.

Ridden With Depression

Two days before Christmas in 2006, Andy Sandness from Wyoming had suffered a breaking point. At the time, he was a 21-year-old man who drank more than usual because he was feeling very depressed.

In fact, it was safe to say that he felt as though he had reached his lowest point emotionally.

An End To Pain

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One night, after he got off work, he grabbed a rifle from his closet, and stared at it for a moment. Then he put a round in the chamber and was determined to end his life.

So, he placed the barrel under his chin, braced himself with a deep breath, and pulled the trigger.

On Second Thought

Sandness realized that he had made a huge mistake. In fact, when cops arrived, one of the officers, who was also a friend of his, took him in his arms to comfort him.

But Sandness, who was still alive, regretted what he did and screamed “Please, please don’t let me die! I don’t want to die!”

Hang In There

Sandness was treated at two hospitals before being taken to the Mayo Clinic. There, Dr. Samir Mardini, a facial reconstruction plastic surgeon, told Sandness that he would do his best to fix his face.

“I just need you to be strong and patient,” he told him. This was difficult without a nose, a jaw, and only two teeth, but Sandness was resilient.