The story

Five-year-old Youssif underwent his most important surgery Thursday as his doctor removed the most extensive scar tissue on his face -- putting him on the path of being a normal boy again.

Youssif entered the operating room around 6:30 a.m. PT for the three-and-a-half hour surgery.

Just before the surgery began, Youssif began crying.

"I can't do this. I can't do this," he said.

Sedation then set in, he relaxed and Dr. Peter Grossman, the plastic surgeon with the Grossman Burn Center who is donating his services, began to operate. Read full article »

Rescuing Youssif
Watch a CNN exclusive "Impact Your World -- Rescuing Youssif" about the Iraqi boy's ordeal
Dec. 24 at 10 p.m. ET; Dec. 25 at 4 p.m. ET

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