RIMINI -- Former Miss. Italy finalist Gessica Notaro, the victim of a vicious acid attack Jan. 10 allegedly at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, sent a courageous message of hope following plastic surgery, claiming, “Two dark and difficult days but today finally the sun shines both outside and inside of me!"

 Earlier this month, Notaro had posted a picture on Facebook of her hands shaped into a heart, dedicating the gesture to "all the doctors, nurses and medical staff at the Bufalini hospital, and to thank family and friends and the people who send their love each day." In the background, bandages can be seen covering her face and neck.

 In less than 24 hours, the post received over 2,000 likes and hundreds of comments of encouragement and solidarity.

 In recent days, Notaro commented on the social media site, "I cannot wait to get my life back in my hands," following reconstructive surgery.

 Gessica had previously commented on her changed appearance and desires for the future, not long after the attack, bravely stating, "Even if I remain disfigured, if I am reduced to a monster, what do I care? I am not bothered about returning to looking beautiful, the important thing is that I can see. I want to see, to be able to see life."

 Jorge Edson Tavares, the 29-year-old ex-boyfriend of Notaro from Cape Verde, has been arrested for grievous bodily harm but continues to maintain his innocence, claiming he was "with another woman" at the time of the attack. 

 In August 2016, Tavares had been investigated due to allegations of other ill-treatment but was given only a warning by the police commissioner.

 The former couple met whilst the model was working at a dolphin and sea lion show at the Rimini aquarium.

 Following facial reconstructive surgery over recent days, the former Miss. Romagna will soon have to undergo an operation to the left eye which was aggressively damaged by the attack. A corneal transplant may be necessary.

 Meanwhile, some images of the attack taken from a nearby surveillance camera are under analysis. Various frames of the scene will be compared to data from anthropometric surveys.

 sw