Turkey's first face transplant

Doctors pose with Ugur Acar, Turkey's first face transplant recipient.

On Monday, the 19-year-old saw his new face for the first time and said he was excited he might finally marry one day.

Specialists say Acar was ready for the life-changing procedure.

(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) RECTOR OF AKDENIZ UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ISRAFIL KURTCEPE SAYING:

"He was prepared for this process, and everything went well. He didn't need psychiatric or psychological care. We were just there for him to make sure that he didn't need any psychiatric assistance. We will continue to be there for him, and we will help him adopt his new life and talk with him about his personal problems if there are any."

But it will still be 45 days before doctors let him out of the hospital, and another six months until he can use his facial muscles.

There have been 20 face transplants performed worldwide.

The first was a partial transplant on a French woman in 2005.

Jessica Gray, Reuters