In recent decades medical science has advanced at an amazing pace. Some familiar procedures like brain and heart surgery were, until recently risky and rare.

Now doctors and surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston are engaged in an amazing new challenge…

Face Transplants.

Dallas Wiens had his face burned off in 2008 when he accidentally hit a power-line while painting a church. Doctors described him as

quite literally a man without a face

In what is being described as “a new frontier in reconstructive surgery”, Doctors were able to grant Mr Weins a new lease on life with a new face.

Mr Wiens had endured two dozen operations since his accident. This most recent transplant has enabled  him to breath and smell for the first time.

The US military paid for the 15 hour procedure in the hope that wounded veterans may benefit from similar operations.

Mr Wiens made his first public appearance since the surgery on Monday (see video). He expressed his deep gratitude to his doctors for their groundbreaking work. Hospital officials are expecting some continued improvement to Mr Wiens’ condition.