IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A girl from Utah traveled more than 1,000 miles to get her smile back.

The 15-year-old suffered a brain tumor that paralyzed much of her face.

Last week she went to Iowa City where she had an 11-hour surgery.

It was a first of its kind procedure to help her smile again.

"Normally 16-year-olds don't really think about this, but this is what I want and this is my dream and it will be really exciting to start junior year with my smile again," said Natali Wright, patient.

Next month, the high school student will turn 16.

Doctors say it may take up to a year for her smile to develop again.