BANGKOK – In what is being hailed as a major medical and cultural breakthrough, doctors at Samitivej Hospital have miraculously saved a man’s face, 23 days after he lost it in an argument with his wife.
The success of the marathon 16-hour surgery will give hope to the millions around the world who have suddenly or unexpectedly lost face and failed to regain it in the hours, days or even years since, as well as to those who suffer from habitual face loss.
The groundbreaking surgery may also have a significant cultural and psychological impact, especially in Asia, where the World Health Organization estimates that more than 40 percent of men and women live their entire lives in fear of losing face.
Thailand has long been known as a leader in face loss prevention. By teaching its youth to never question authority and hierarchy, to avoid confrontation and embarrassment at all costs, and to never stick out from the crowd, Thailand has reduced face loss to record lows in the past two decades. But now, Samitivej’s medical breakthrough will also make the country a pioneer in face loss treatment and recovery.
The successful patient, Anuchai Witinasachawik, a 45-year-old accountant from Bangkok, checked in to Samitivej yesterday morning complaining of anxiety. Further examination by doctors revealed that he was suffering from “extreme sulkiness, bouts of passive aggressive behavior, such as the silent treatment, and unannounced, unexplained absences from work” – all classic symptoms of face loss.
Further probing by doctors revealed that three weeks ago, at a dinner party he hosted, he had had an argument with his wife over where they had vacationed during Songkran 2002. After calling his wife a “buffalo” in front of shocked colleagues, Anuchai reportedly stormed off to prove he “was right.” Looking through an old photo album, he was shocked to discover that they had, in fact, gone to Phu Kradung as his wife had said.
Having pinpointed the cause of Anuchai’s face loss, doctors began with laser surgery, removing the emotional scarring associated with the argument, and then eliminating the brain cells containing both his memories of that night and his tendency toward over-sensitivity. Finally, using cutting-edge facial reconstruction techniques, doctors implanted a permanent smile of Anuchai’s face.
“His face is 100 percent saved,“ doctors announced. “He can return to his wife and workplace and function like a normal, emotionally healthy adult instead of a child. What’s more, it is highly unlikely he will ever lose face again because he will always be smiling.”
