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Three Face Transplant Recipients Meet At Brigham And Women's

BOSTON (CBS) - For the second time in a week, doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital are showing off the results of a full face transplant. Once again, it's an incredible transformation.

Mitch Hunter says the surgery is giving him back his life.

WBZ-TV's Peg Rusconi reports

"Just the feeling I had in my body and my mind was just amazing," said Hunter. "I just knew when I woke up my whole life was going to change for the better."

The change comes a decade after a high voltage line destroyed much of the Indiana military veteran's face.

"Before the surgery, I would go out and I would get stared at all the time and have kids hide behind their mom," said Hunter.

His new face comes courtesy of a groundbreaking surgical team lead by Dr. Bohdan Pomahac and an anonymous donor family.

"I will always be grateful for them. And if they ever want a chance to meet me, I would love the opportunity just to hug each and every one of them and say thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Hunter.

Since 2009 three people have received face transplants here at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

As luck would have it, they were all in the same place on the same day last week.

"It is a unique opportunity to see something like that and may not happen ever again because they're from all over the United States," said Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, who performed all three surgeries.

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