A Spaniard who just got a face transplant done has openly expressed gratitude to the surgeons who operated on him.

The patient named Rafael said, "I am full of joy and happiness. I want to thank the family of the donor and the medical team".

Rafael is supposed to be the second person in Spain and the ninth in the world to get a partial face transplant.

The surgery was conducted after Rafael was left with a lot of tumors on his face from an unusual condition, which caused cells to grow strangely.

He appeared before the media persons at the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville, southern Spain, where he went under the knife in a 30-hour operation on January 26 and 27.

He has been discharged from the hospital and says that he can sense pain, heat and cold in his face, and has even begun shaving.

However, Rafael still has problem in speaking clearly, since he is not likely to reclaim complete control over his tongue for another three months. His face is also swollen.

He asked that his privacy should be respected, saying that after this press meet, he intends to be left alone with his family and peers in peace.