Full Face Transplant

"This accidental injury just destroyed everything," said Rodriguez. "His friends and colleagues went on to start getting married, having children, owning homes. He wants to make up for all that."

The operation, which involved more than 150 doctors, nurses and other staff, was just part of a remarkable 72 hours in which surgeons also transplanted a heart, both lungs, a liver and a kidney from the same anonymous donor, to other patients. For Norris, the surgeons transplanted teeth, the upper and lower jaw, a portion of the tongue and all facial tissue from the scalp to the base of the neck.

The most dramatic moment, according to Rodriguez, came after the team had removed all previous attempts at reconstruction. All that was left was part of Norris's tongue and minimal protection for his eyes. That was the point of no return. "At this point we had to be successful."

Now, however, Norris's face will require only minor, outpatient procedures.