The first patient in the world to receive a face transplant has recovered so well that she can go out unnoticed, Bernard Devauchelle - a professor at Amiens Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hospital in northern France - announced at the one year anniversary of the pioneering operation.

Isabelle Dinoire, 38, who had been disfigured by her dog, had made excellent recovery since her nose, lips and chin were replaced with a graft from a brain-dead donor. There were concerns about tissue rejection and this had occurred twice, once in December and again in June, but both were successfully controlled with immunosuppressant drugs. "Aesthetically, the transplant has fitted in very well with the shape of her face. People who hadn't seen her before her accident now recognize her, which is very interesting" said Devauchelle. "When she is in a crowd, she doesn't stick out as 'the transplant patient', and this is important."

"You still see scars, of course. From time to time, there are minor inflammations which occur near wires that lie deep beneath the skin."

"When she is in a crowd, she doesn't stick out as 'the transplant patient'."

"But elsewhere, the scar lines have almost completely faded. If she puts on a little bit of makeup, she looks fine."

He said her facial sensitivity - in terms of warmth and tactility - had been recovered and facial mobility had returned. "Facial sensitivity, as far as skin warmth and tactility is concerned, has been restored," Devauchelle added. She is able to eat and drink without any problem, and she still smokes. "Mobility has also returned despite a contraction in the left cheek, which we are treating with physiotherapy. She told us very early on after the operation, 'I look like myself again . . . I can now smile'."

The patient has even bought a new dog. But she has moved location to avoid media attention. Professor Devauchelle said: "As soon as she finds a job her social life will be rebuilt too." Professor Devauchelle will carry out five transplants over three years.

Since the operation, Li Guoxing, from China passed through an operation to receive a new upper lip, cheek and nose. In October, a British surgeon, Peter Butler at the Royal Free Hospital in London, announced that he had been given permission to carry out the first full-face transplant, and he is currently seeking suitable patients.