A Liverpool doctor was left 'overwhelmed' after receiving the perfect gift from a patient after spine surgery.
Lauren, 15, met Mr Surdarshan Munigangaiah at Alder Hey Hospital after suffering with severe Scheurmann's Kyphosis, causing bad posture, back pain and a hunch on the back.
The teenager was given a number of treatment options including a brace but Lauren decided on complex spinal surgery to fix the problem.
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Following the surgery, which can take anywhere between six to eight hours, Lauren's posture improved significantly and staff noticed a 'complete change' in her personality.
As well as a moving thank you card to Mr Munigangaiah, Lauren also gave him a plant pot with the words 'thank you for having my back' written on the side.
The consultant paediatric and adult spine surgeon took to Twitter to express his joy at receiving the gift, adding that it had 'cheered him up' in clinic.
Mr Munigangaiah said: "I was overwhelmed with joy and surprise by this very articulate and thoughtful letter because, even though I had met Lauren, several time with her family prior to her surgery, I could never understand the depth of psychological conflict she had about the shape of her spine.
"It takes a lot of courage from Lauren to come out and say 'I am so much happier in my own skin', it's a very powerful statement.
"Over the years I have treated hundreds of children and adolescents with spinal deformity and it is one of the most challenging jobs, but it gives me immense pleasure when I see a smile on the child's face.
"That is the best reward. I have learned so much from children over the years that books or research papers can't teach me. Such appreciation letters give me a sense of validation that I am doing my job well and encourages me to work even harder.
"I could only pull through such a difficult job each time with flying colours thanks to the support of my colleagues and family."
In her thank you letter, Lauren said that Mr Munigangaiah had changed her life and that she 'couldn't thank him enough' for that.
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