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Alex LewisA British man who lost both legs and an arm due to infection
Country:
 Great Britain |
Biography of Alex Lewis
Alex Lewis, a 38-year-old British man, underwent an incredible transformation after losing both legs and an arm due to a life-threatening infection. He received a face transplant using skin from his shoulder and tattoos to make his new lips look natural. Lewis became the world's first person to undergo a simultaneous upper and lower lip coverage procedure using a single skin graft, after suffering from necrotizing fasciitis.
Initially, Lewis experienced discomfort on November 17, 2013, noticing blood in his urine. The next day, he woke up unable to move and with discolored skin. He was urgently transported to Winchester Hospital, where it was discovered that he had a streptococcal infection, which progressed to toxic shock syndrome, sepsis, and necrotizing fasciitis. The chances of such a combination of conditions were even lower than winning the national lottery. Lewis underwent intensive therapy, but his condition continued to worsen, with gangrene spreading throughout his body.
After spending six and a half months in the hospital and undergoing 18 surgeries, including amputations of his hands, legs, and lips, Lewis survived against all odds. Prior to his illness, he owned a pub in Over Wallop, Hampshire. Due to the extensive surgeries, Lewis's body and face were disfigured, causing his three-year-old son to fear and avoid him.
The infection had reached Lewis's nose, leading to the complete loss of his lips. Surgeons had to remove all the dead skin and replace it with a temporary skin graft on his mouth. After recovering from the illness, doctors began reconstructing his mouth. Using skin from his shoulder, plastic surgeon Alexandra Crick from Salisbury performed the groundbreaking surgery to form new lips.
Over the course of six additional operations, the transplanted skin became thinner and more natural-looking compared to his cheeks and chin. All 18 operations were performed by Dr. Crick, who was satisfied with Lewis's progress. She was able to preserve muscle sensitivity and functionality, allowing him to open and close his mouth, speak, eat, drink, and brush his teeth.
The skin graft from the upper back was a better match in terms of color and texture than abdominal or groin skin. The daily exposure to natural light and the tattoos helped the new lips appear more natural. Karen Betts, who previously assisted Katie Piper, a former model whose face was disfigured by sulfuric acid, performed the tattoo work on Lewis's lips. Betts added freckles to his face and gave the lips a realistic red shade.
Today, Lewis lives with his 44-year-old fiancée, Lucy Townsend, and their seven-year-old son, Sam. He runs his own charity, the Alex Lewis Trust, with the aim of raising £3 million for high-quality prosthetics. Despite the amputation of all four limbs, Lewis continues to lead an active lifestyle, participating in activities such as skydiving and kayaking.
In 2019, Lewis plans to reach the summit of the highest mountain in Ethiopia on a handcycle. His surgeon, Alexandra Crick, marvels at his survival and the success of his extensive recovery. She states that it is difficult to compare his injuries to those of other patients and that surviving quadruple amputations is extremely rare. Crick praises Lewis's resilience, adaptability, and physical and psychological strength, considering him to be an extraordinary individual who has overcome incredible challenges.
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