Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center holds a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, (seen on screen before the surgery) a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center poses for photographs at a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center poses for photographs at a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center holds a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center holds a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, (seen on screen) a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center holds a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, (seen on screen before and after transplant) a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center holds a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. Image projected on screen shows Hardison, from left to right, before the accident, after the accident, and after the transplant. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center holds a news conference to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 16, 2015. Dr. Rodriguez led the surgical team on 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, a firefighter from Senatobia, Misissippi who's face was badly burned in 2001. More than 100 doctors and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, conducted in August 2015 at the NYU Langone Medical Center. REUTERS/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A plastic bag covers the face of a doll that has been brought for repair at Sydney's Doll Hospital for repair, June 28, 2014. Opened in 1913, Sydney's Doll Hospital has worked on millions of dolls, teddy bears and other toys. Behind a toy shop on a busy suburban street in Sydney's south, "doll surgeons" transplant fingers, toes and heads, and repair broken eye sockets in dolls who were the victim of a childhood tantrum or sibling rivalry, sometimes decades ago. Picture taken June 28, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Reed (AUSTRALIA - SOCIETY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 31 OF 32 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE '101 YEARS MENDING DOLLS, TEDDIES AND HEARTS'. TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'DOLLS REED'

Marinda Righter, daughter of face donor Cheryl Denelli-Righter, holds her mother's photo during a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

Face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton speaks at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

Marinda Righter (C), daughter of face donor Cheryl Denelli-Righter, embraces face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton during a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. At left is surgeon Dr. Bohdan Pomahac. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

Face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton (R) listens to her surgeon Dr. Bohdan Pomahac speak during a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

Marinda Righter, daughter of face donor Cheryl Denelli-Righter, holds her mother's photo during a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

A screen shows a photo of face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton (R) before her operation, as she speaks at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. Seated next to her is her surgeon Dr. Bohdan Pomahac. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

Face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton speaks at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)

Marinda Righter (L), daughter of face donor Cheryl Denelli-Righter, kisses face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton during a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 1, 2013. Tarleton, who was attacked by her estranged husband and doused with lye in June 2007, underwent the transplant in February. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH HEADSHOT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Dallas Wiens (C), the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters as Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, plastic surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital, looks on at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, plastic surgeon at Brigham and Women's (L); and Dr. Jeffrey Janis, from Parkland, Texas. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, is helped by Dr. Jeffrey Janis (R), from Parkland, Texas, as they arrive for a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, is helped by Dr. Bohdan Pomahac (L), plastic surgeon at Brigham and Women's, and Dr. Jeffrey Janis (R), from Parkland, Texas, after a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH)

Dallas Wiens (2nd R), the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. With Wiens are Dr. Elof Eriksson (L), Chief of Plastic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital; Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, plastic surgeon at Brigham and Women's (2nd L); and Dr. Jeffrey Janis, from Parkland, Texas. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH HEADSHOT)

Dallas Wiens, the United States' first full face transplant patient, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts May 9, 2011. More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial animation and nerves of Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEADSHOT HEALTH)

Oscar, the world's first full-face transplant patient, speaks during a news conference at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona July 26, 2010. Oscar, who underwent the transplant in April by a 30-member medical team led by Spanish doctor Juan Barret, accidentally shot himself in the face five years ago. REUTERS/Marti Fradera (SPAIN - Tags: HEALTH ODDLY)

Oscar, the world first full-face transplant patient, speaks during a news conference at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona July 26, 2010. Oscar, who underwent the transplant in April by a 30-member medical team led by Spanish doctor Juan Barret, accidentally shot himself in the face five years ago. REUTERS/Marti Fradera (SPAIN - Tags: HEALTH ODDLY)

Oscar, the world's first full-face transplant patient, speaks during a news conference at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona July 26, 2010. Oscar, who underwent the transplant in April by a 30-member medical team led by Spanish doctor Juan Barret, accidentally shot himself in the face five years ago. REUTERS/Marti Fradera (SPAIN - Tags: HEALTH ODDLY)

Oscar, the world's first full-face transplant patient, speaks during a news conference at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona July 26, 2010. Oscar, who underwent the transplant in April by a 30-member medical team led by Spanish doctor Juan Barret, accidentally shot himself in the face five years ago. REUTERS/Marti Fradera (SPAIN - Tags: HEALTH ODDLY)

Oscar, the world's first full-face transplant patient, poses for the photographers as he attends a news conference at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona July 26, 2010. Oscar, who underwent the transplant in April by a 30-member medical team led by Spanish doctor Juan Barret, accidentally shot himself in the face five years ago. REUTERS/Marti Fradera (SPAIN - Tags: HEALTH ODDLY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael poses with surgeon Tomas Gomez during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH ODDLY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael poses during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH ODDLY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael embraces his mother Juana during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ODDLY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael embraces a nurse during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN)



- Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ODDLY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael embraces his mother Juana during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN)



- Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH ODDLY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael embraces a nurse during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN)



- Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ODDLY)

Face transplant recipient Rafael embraces his mother Juana during a news conference at Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville May 4, 2010. Rafael, who received the lower face transplant at the hospital in January, suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder which caused facial tumours. Rafael's operation is the second time the procedure has been performed in Spain. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN)



- Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ODDLY)

FACE-TRANSPLANT/USA - Diagram explaining face transplant procedure used in the first such operation in the U.S.. RNGS. (SIN04)

Francis Papay (R), chair of dermatology and plastic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, speaks to the media with Dr. Dr. Maria Siemionow, director of plastic surgery research at the clinic, about the team of Cleveland Clinic surgeons that performed the nation's first near-total face transplant in Cleveland, Ohio December 17, 2008. The surgeons have replaced 80 percent of a woman's face, transplanting bone, teeth, muscle and nerve in the first such operation in the United States. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES)

Maria Siemionow talks to the media about the Cleveland Clinic surgeons team that performed the nation's first near-total face transplant in the past two weeks, during a news conference in Cleveland, Ohio December 17, 2008. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES)

Frank Papay talks to the media about the Cleveland Clinic surgeons team that performed the nation's first near-total face transplant in the past two weeks during a news conference in Cleveland, Ohio December 17, 2008. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES)

Maria Siemionow talks to the media about the Cleveland Clinic surgeons team that performed the nation's first near-total face transplant in the past two weeks, during a news conference in Cleveland, Ohio December 17, 2008.REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES)

Maria Siemionow (standing) talks to the media about the Cleveland Clinic surgeons team that performed the nation's first near-total face transplant in the past two weeks, during a news conference in Cleveland, Ohio December 17, 2008.REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES)

Maria Siemionow talks to the media about the Cleveland Clinic surgeons team that performed the nation's first near-total face transplant in the past two weeks, during a news conference in Cleveland, Ohio December 17, 2008.REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES)

A doctor threads an eyelash transplant into Aleve Loh's eyelid with a curved needle to make her lashes longer at a surgery in Los Angeles October 23, 2006. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) Also see image: GM1DUCAIDYAA

French surgeon Dr Bernard Devauchelle explains the operation of Isabelle Dinoire, the woman who received the world's first partial face transplant with part of a nose, chin and lips on November 27, 2005, during a news conference at the Amiens Hospital, northern France, February 6, 2006. [Dinoire spoke on Monday for the first time to reporters since her operation, saying she was thankful to have the opportunity for a new start in life. In a 15-hour operation surgeons used tissues, muscles, arteries and veins from a brain-dead woman to rebuild Dinoire's face. Dinoire, who was mauled by a dog last May, is from the Lille area in northeastern France.]

French surgeon Doctor Jean-Michel Dubernard explains the face replacement operation of Isabelle Dinoire, the woman who received the world's first partial face transplant on November 27, 2005, during a news conference at the Amiens Hospital, northern France, February 6, 2006. [Dinoire spoke on Monday for the first time to reporters since her operation, saying she was thankful to have the opportunity for a new start in life. In a 15-hour operation surgeons used tissues, muscles, arteries and veins from a brain-dead woman to rebuild Dinoire's face. Dinoire, who was mauled by a dog last May, is from the Lille area in northeastern France.]

Isabelle Dinoire (R), who received the world's first partial face transplant, attends a news conference with Doctor Sophie Testin at Amiens hospital in northern France February 6, 2006. Dinoire spoke on Monday for the first time to reporters since her operation, saying she was thankful to have the opportunity for a new start in life. [In a 15-hour operation surgeons used tissues, muscles, arteries and veins from a brain-dead woman to rebuild Dinoire's face. Dinoire, who was mauled by a dog last May, is from the Lille area in northeastern France.]

Isabelle Dinoire who received the world's first partial face transplant addresses a news conference at Amiens hospital in northern France February 6, 2006. Dinoire spoke on Monday for the first time to [reporters] since her operation, saying she was thankful to have the opportunity for a new start in life. In a 15-hour operation surgeons used tissues, muscles, arteries and veins from a brain-dead woman to rebuild Dinoire's face. Dinoire, who was mauled by [a dog] last May, is from the Lille area in northeastern France.

Isabelle Dinoire (L), who received the world's first partial face transplant, looks at a a screen, showing her face immediately after the operation, during a news conference at Amiens hospital in northern France February 6, 2006. Dinoire spoke on Monday for the first time to reporters since her operation, saying she was thankful to have the opportunity for a new start in life. In a 15-hour operation surgeons used tissues, muscles, arteries and veins from a brain-dead woman to rebuild Dinoire's face. Dinoire, who was mauled by a dog last May, is from the Lille area in northeastern France.

Isabelle Dinoire who received the world's first partial face transplant addresses a news conference at Amiens hospital in northern France February 6, 2006. Dinoire spoke on Monday for the first time to [reporters] since her operation, saying she was thankful to have the opportunity for a new start in life. In a 15-hour operation surgeons used tissues, muscles, arteries and veins from a brain-dead woman to rebuild Dinoire's face. Dinoire, who was mauled by [a dog] last May, is from the Lille area in northeastern France.