In 2005, a spanish farmer named Oscar (then 26) had a terrible gun accident. It left him not only with an entirely disfigured face, but also the inability to speak, eat or even breath normally.

Oscar underwent the world’s first full facial transplant surgery 4 months ago, and now has almost fully recovered. He can now breath through his nose, one that he was totally missing before. He can also eat soft foods and speak to his friends and family. It took him nearly 2 months to learn how to speak again, and there is still progress to be made.

The surgery which took over 2 years of planning took 24 hours to complete. It included transplanting not only skin, but muscles, cheekbones, teeth and a jaw bone as well. Oscar, who is not revealing his full identity said, “I am very happy and I want to thank the surgeons and the donors especially the man who gave me the new tissues I received.”