I haven't seen this here, but thought it was quite interesting. Oops in advance if it's already been posted.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/18/news/face.php?rss

I've heard and read today that the patient has taken up smoking now, against the advice of her physicians. Smoking could slow or stall the healing process and increase the likelihood of rejection. It'd be a hell of a shame to throw away a ground breaking and life altering medical advance this way. Were I on the transplant/recovery team, I'd be a pissed off doctor.

People who are giving a chance like this and refuse to listen to the negative effects smoking has on you pisses me off. Its like my mother getting a quadruple bypass and 2 months later she is back to smoking. What f#$king waste.

Funny the way that works. Friend I know recently got told he had adult onset diabetes (I guess its type B) and he went out to have beers and coffee to forget about it.

Didn't she (or the donor, or both?) try to commit suicide? Not exactly a mentally stable patient to do this ground breaking stuff on if so. But kudos to the doctors anyway, they deserve congrats.

Haven't read about suicide attempts, but there's mention in some articles about her not being ready to live on her own, and of her psychologist going out in public with her as she tests the waters. The simple fact that she's turning to smoking under such circumstances suggests she has some issues that may not be related to having her face torn off.

yeah she tried to OD on sleeping pills shortly before her dog bit off her face.

Interesting, thanks.