A Virginia man who spent 15 years living as a recluse after suffering injuries in a gun accident says his life has been transformed by a facial transplant.

Richard Lee Norris, 37, received the full face transplant in a 36-hour operation in March. It included the replacement of both jaws, teeth, tongue, skin and underlying nerve and muscle tissue from scalp to neck.

Richard Norris shown now, during his recovery and before his face transplant seven months ago after he was injured in a 1997 gun accident.

Now, seven months on, doctors say he eats primarily by mouth and can taste and smell.

"For the past 15 years I lived as a recluse hiding behind a surgical mask and doing most of my shopping at night when less people were around," Mr Norris said.