The changes made are incredible, we didn’t realize the human body could do that!
An Indian woman named Shreya Siddanagowder became the first woman in the world to receive a man’s hands through a transplant. This remarkable journey began eight years ago when 18-year-old Shreya lost both her arms below the elbow in a traumatic bus accident.
Instead of focusing on her loss, Shreya embraced her new beginnings. After attempting to use prosthetic hands without success, she decided to undergo a bilateral hand transplant in 2017. The complex 13-hour surgery involved 16 anesthesiologists and 20 surgeons.
The donor was a 21-year-old man who lost his life in a tragic bike accident.
Shreya shared her inspiring story in a 2019 Facebook video for the MOHAN Foundation, an Indian organ donation and transplantation charity. She emphasized the value of hands, calling them ‘one of the greatest assets you can ever have.’
Reflecting on her experience, Shreya said: “I was in a horrible bus accident that cost me my forearms. Prosthetic hands didn’t work for me, so I opted for a bilateral hand transplant. Now, almost two years post-surgery, I can do most of my daily tasks independently.”
She added: “Everyone deserves to live with dignity. I’m lucky to have a second chance, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Despite my male hands, they now have feminine features that blend seamlessly.”
The most astonishing change reported by Shreya was the gradual transformation of her hands’ skin tone to match her own. Initially, the hands were darker than her complexion, but over time, they lightened to match her skin color.
According to Dr. Uday Khopkar, head of dermatology at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, this pigmentation change may result from her body producing less melanin than the donor’s. However, more research is needed to confirm this theory.
Another notable change was that her hands became slimmer over time.
Shreya concluded: “I once thought the accident was the worst thing that happened to me, but it turned out to be a catalyst for something amazing. I have no regrets.”
Shreya’s story is a powerful testament to human resilience and the extraordinary possibilities of medical science.
