This is the emotional moment a woman met the man who received her late husband's face

In June 2016, Andy Sandersunderwent a facial transplant, 10 years after having been disfigured from a suicide attempt. After eight surgeries lasting a total of 56 hoursand requiring 60 medical staff, the 31-year-old American was able to show off his new face. Andy Sanders stated:

This surgery has allowed me to feel normal again.

This remarkable medical feat was made possible thanks to Lilly Ross, who gave her permission for the transplant to go ahead, as well as donating the organs of her former husband.

The emotional meeting

Lilly and Andy met for the first time in November 2018 for a particularly moving encounter in the library of the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota.

It was there that Andy was able to thank Lilly, and also meet Leonard, the son of Lilly and her former partner. During the meeting, he stated that the fact that he had been able to meet the lady who had made this all possible, along with her son, was “above all, a great relief”.

A new family member

Meeting Andy has finally allowed me to grieve

revealed Lilly, who now considers Andy to be a real part of her family.

Take a look at the video above to see the footage of the emotional moment...