Andy Sandness was just 21 years old when he survived a suicide attempt that left his face shattered. Nearly a decade later, thanks to a groundbreaking surgery at the Mayo Clinic, he’s living a new life with a new face — and a renewed sense of purpose.

Back in 2006, Sandness attempted to end his life with a gunshot to the head. He survived, but the injuries were devastating: he lost his nose, jaw, and most of his teeth. In the years that followed, he endured multiple reconstructive surgeries but continued to struggle both physically and emotionally.

In 2016, Sandness became the recipient of the Mayo Clinic’s first-ever face transplant — a 56-hour operation that brought together over 60 medical professionals, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. It was one of the most complex procedures in modern medicine.

The donor was 21-year-old Calen “Rudy” Ross, an outdoorsman from the Midwest who had also died by suicide. His wife, Lilly, who was eight months pregnant at the time, made the incredibly generous decision to donate his face after learning that Sandness’s eyes and forehead would remain untouched — meaning he wouldn’t look exactly like her late husband.

The transplant gave Sandness an entirely new facial structure, including a nose, lips, cheeks, mouth, teeth, and jaw. “It far exceeded my expectations,” he said. “When you lose something you’ve had your whole life, you realize how important it is. Getting it back — that’s something you never take for granted.”

Since the surgery, Sandness has had additional procedures to fine-tune his facial features and has worked with a speech therapist to regain full function. Now 32 and working as an electrician, he says he’s finally able to live a normal, everyday life. “I’m just another face in the crowd,” he said with a smile.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic have called the surgery a “miracle of modern medicine,” and Sandness’s story continues to inspire others who are facing the long road to recovery from trauma — both physical and emotional.