VIDEO: Katy Hayes first woman to have double arm transplant

A Texas woman was officially approved by a Boston hospital to become the first person in the nation to receive double arm transplants above the elbow, reports The Houston Chronicle. 

Katy Hayes lost both of her arms and legs following a massive flesh-eating infection after the birth of her third child in 2010, reports the Chronicle. To save her life, doctors had to amputate all of her limbs, leaving behind small stubs. 

"Both the doctors looked at me and said that I was going to die and that we should prepare the family for my demise," Hayes said Wednesday at a press conference reported by CBS. 

The hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, posted this video to demonstrate how the surgery will work. 

The Boston Globe reports that during the amputation, doctors were able to save enough nerve and muscle to make the transplant possible.

Surgeons at Brigham hospital said a transplant could allow Hayes to bend her elbows and lift herself out of a wheelchair but were unsure of how much hand sensitivity or fine motor skills she would gain because so few of the transplants have been performed.

Still, Hayes told CBS that she's hopeful the surgery will restore some of her independence.  

"I want to hug my children and hug my husband, cook food, and wipe my own bottom; things you guys take for granted," she said. "I have the determination to make these arms my own."