EDITORS NOTE: PART AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
Surgeons in Boston prepare to change the life of a woman suffering from severe burns.
Forty-four-year-old Carmen Blandin Tarleton was doused in lye by her estranged husband in 2007.
Now she's received a full face transplant with tissue from a female donor's skin.
Doctors say her injures were so severe, there had been no guarantee of success.
SOUNDBITE: (English) DIRECTOR OF PLASTIC SURGERY TRANSPLANTATION, DR. BOHDAN POMAHAC, SAYING:
"She was severely burnt over 80 percent of her body unrecognizable to anyone who knew her. Our expectations for Carmen's survival were low but Carmen is a fighter, and fight she did."
Carmen, pictured here before the attack, was in surgery for more than 15 hours.
Her sister, on the left of this photo, read a statement from Carmen thanking those involved.
SOUNDBITE: (English) KESSTAN BLANDIN, VICTIM'S SISTER, READING STATEMENT FROM CARMEN:
"This is a momentous opportunity in my life and I want to convey to the donor's family what a great gift they've given to me. And although there is so much to go I feel strong and I am confident I have the strength to deal with whatever comes my way."
Brigham and Women's Hospital say Carmen is now in recovery.
It's the fifth face transplant performed at the hospital.
