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.