The U.S. has had ten streaks reconstructive surgery after the dog attacked him during a fight, resulting in the loss of the nose and significant facial damage. Ben Horne, who has been fighting epilepsy since his teenage years, agitated the dog during a seizure, leading to severe injuries including the loss of the nose, part of the mouth, and chin, Metro reported.
Despite the shock and extensive injuries, Ben was able to call the emergency services, resulting in a 10-hour emergency operation at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, to deal with his injuries.
“After a seizure last night, my dog ​​became frightened and caused significant damage to my face,” Ben said. “My whole house was covered in blood. I called 999; even though I couldn’t speak very well, I managed to send an ambulance.”
Over the next five years, Ben underwent approximately ten surgeries using bone grafts from his ribs and skin grafts from his arms and forehead. This procedure aims to reconstruct the structure of the nose and face, helping him to gradually realize his changed appearance.
Ben, who lives in Yeovil, Somerset, stressed the importance of sharing his story to give encouragement and support to others facing similar challenges.
“When I woke up, the nurse said, ‘I’m going to hand you a mirror, and it’s going to be a big shock.’ I can’t believe the amount of damage, I really try to love myself and how you are.
After the November 2019 incident, Ben Horne suffered severe facial injuries, his upper lip was hanging off, a large part of his chin was missing, and only the septum of his nose remained.
Remembering the immediate consequences, Ben, an aerospace engineer, expressed great sadness: “I remember looking in the mirror and wishing I couldn’t call an ambulance. I can’t imagine how I will live with what happened.”
Opting for reconstructive surgery, Ben underwent the initial procedure in May 2021 at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, which was postponed due to the pandemic. This included creating a wider septum for the nose, although it collapsed before the next operation in October 2021, where skin from the left arm was used to reconstruct the inside of the nose.
Describing the challenges posed by a tattooed arm, Ben said, “I have to choose which arm I prefer, because they’re both tattooed. At least I have a tattoo on the inside of my nose.”
During the same operation, the bone from the rib and the artery from the arm are used to reconstruct the nose and connect it to the neck. Ben describes this time as very difficult, navigating day-to-day life with a “cut tattoo” on his face that requires daily makeup.
In September 2022, Ben underwent another operation where skin from his forehead was removed to cover the tattooed area. Describing the procedure, Ben said, “The forehead flap was so big on my face, the skin was tied together, it made a lump under my eye.”
In the middle of treatment, Ben opted for private treatment, and a team of plastic surgeons from Exeter intervened. In March 2023, he performed a procedure using bone from the hip bone and ribs to stabilize the forehead, replacing the infected donor bone.
In May 2023, surgeons removed the skin from the forehead and continued to refine the structure of the nose through subsequent operations. Ben still relies on a plastic tube to breathe, and the next challenge is finding a solution that won’t block his nasal passages.
As Ben slowly comes to terms with his altered appearance, he continues to deal with public scrutiny. “It’s incredibly challenging when people stare for too long,” he shared, describing the discomfort as “being naked in public.”
“They look at you like an object. It’s very embarrassing. It’s like a dream that you’re naked in public. You want to hide it but you can’t. You can’t change things and what has happened. “he added.
Despite the shock and extensive injuries, Ben was able to call the emergency services, resulting in a 10-hour emergency operation at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, to deal with his injuries.
“After a seizure last night, my dog ​​became frightened and caused significant damage to my face,” Ben said. “My whole house was covered in blood. I called 999; even though I couldn’t speak very well, I managed to send an ambulance.”
Over the next five years, Ben underwent approximately ten surgeries using bone grafts from his ribs and skin grafts from his arms and forehead. This procedure aims to reconstruct the structure of the nose and face, helping him to gradually realize his changed appearance.
Ben, who lives in Yeovil, Somerset, stressed the importance of sharing his story to give encouragement and support to others facing similar challenges.
“When I woke up, the nurse said, ‘I’m going to hand you a mirror, and it’s going to be a big shock.’ I can’t believe the amount of damage, I really try to love myself and how you are.
After the November 2019 incident, Ben Horne suffered severe facial injuries, his upper lip was hanging off, a large part of his chin was missing, and only the septum of his nose remained.
Remembering the immediate consequences, Ben, an aerospace engineer, expressed great sadness: “I remember looking in the mirror and wishing I couldn’t call an ambulance. I can’t imagine how I will live with what happened.”
Opting for reconstructive surgery, Ben underwent the initial procedure in May 2021 at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, which was postponed due to the pandemic. This included creating a wider septum for the nose, although it collapsed before the next operation in October 2021, where skin from the left arm was used to reconstruct the inside of the nose.
Describing the challenges posed by a tattooed arm, Ben said, “I have to choose which arm I prefer, because they’re both tattooed. At least I have a tattoo on the inside of my nose.”
During the same operation, the bone from the rib and the artery from the arm are used to reconstruct the nose and connect it to the neck. Ben describes this time as very difficult, navigating day-to-day life with a “cut tattoo” on his face that requires daily makeup.
In September 2022, Ben underwent another operation where skin from his forehead was removed to cover the tattooed area. Describing the procedure, Ben said, “The forehead flap was so big on my face, the skin was tied together, it made a lump under my eye.”
In the middle of treatment, Ben opted for private treatment, and a team of plastic surgeons from Exeter intervened. In March 2023, he performed a procedure using bone from the hip bone and ribs to stabilize the forehead, replacing the infected donor bone.
In May 2023, surgeons removed the skin from the forehead and continued to refine the structure of the nose through subsequent operations. Ben still relies on a plastic tube to breathe, and the next challenge is finding a solution that won’t block his nasal passages.
As Ben slowly comes to terms with his altered appearance, he continues to deal with public scrutiny. “It’s incredibly challenging when people stare for too long,” he shared, describing the discomfort as “being naked in public.”
“They look at you like an object. It’s very embarrassing. It’s like a dream that you’re naked in public. You want to hide it but you can’t. You can’t change things and what has happened. “he added.
