The ‘most extensive’ face transplant in history gives firefighter new life

Jen Christensen
By Jen Christensen and Elizabeth Cohen, CNN
Updated 5:36 PM EST, Mon November 16, 2015
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Jérôme Hamon, 43, before his first face transplantation surgery (on left), after his first transplantation (middle), and then after his second transplantation (on right)
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Story highlights

Mississippi firefighter Patrick Hardison, 41, now lives with the face of a New York City bike mechanic, according to New York magazine

A plastic surgeon from New York University did the surgery in August

The firefighter will take drugs to keep his body from rejecting his face for the rest of his life

CNN  — 

A 41-year-old volunteer firefighter from Mississippi now lives with the face of a 26-year-old Brooklyn bike mechanic.

A plastic surgeon at the New York University Langone Medical Center performed the “most extensive” face transplant surgery in history, according to the hospital.

In 2001, when Patrick Hardison entered a burning home on a rescue search, the roof collapsed on him and his firefighter’s mask burned onto his face, said Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, who led the team of more than 150 staff members at NYU.

Patrick Hardison, 41, had <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/15/health/face-transplant-firefighter/index.html">face transplant surgery</a> in August 2015. The surgery was performed by a plastic surgeon from New York University Langone Medical Center. Hardison, a volunteer firefighter, was injured 15 years ago.
Patrick Hardison, 41, had face transplant surgery in August 2015. The surgery was performed by a plastic surgeon from New York University Langone Medical Center. Hardison, a volunteer firefighter, was injured 15 years ago.
Courtesy NYU Langone Medical Center
In 2005, Frenchwoman Isabelle Dinoire, 39, was the first person to undergo a partial face transplant after being mauled by her dog. She is pictured a few months after her surgery and a year later.
In 2005, Frenchwoman Isabelle Dinoire, 39, was the first person to undergo a partial face transplant after being mauled by her dog. She is pictured a few months after her surgery and a year later.
DENIS CHARLET/Getty Images
Connie Culp was injured when her husband shot her in 2004. She underwent a near-total face transplant at the Cleveland Clinic in 2008, the first operation of its kind in the United States.
Connie Culp was injured when her husband shot her in 2004. She underwent a near-total face transplant at the Cleveland Clinic in 2008, the first operation of its kind in the United States.
Courtesy Cleveland Clinic
Li Guoxing, China's first partial face transplant patient, stands with his family in 2006. He died in 2008.
Li Guoxing, China's first partial face transplant patient, stands with his family in 2006. He died in 2008.
Courtesy China Photos/Getty Images
Texan Dallas Wiens, whose face was burned off after his head touched an electrical wire, was the first American to receive a full face transplant in March 2011.
Texan Dallas Wiens, whose face was burned off after his head touched an electrical wire, was the first American to receive a full face transplant in March 2011.
Courtesy Adam Hunger/AFP/Getty Images
A 33-year-old Polish man identified only as Grzegorz received the country's first face transplant in May 2013, after being disfigured by a machine at a stonemason's workshop. Polish doctors described it as the world's first life-saving face transplant.
A 33-year-old Polish man identified only as Grzegorz received the country's first face transplant in May 2013, after being disfigured by a machine at a stonemason's workshop. Polish doctors described it as the world's first life-saving face transplant.
Courtesy BARTEK WRZESNIOWSKI/Getty Images
American Richard Norris: left, in high school in 1993; center, after suffering a gunshot injury; right, after face transplant surgery.
American Richard Norris: left, in high school in 1993; center, after suffering a gunshot injury; right, after face transplant surgery.
Courtesy UMMS Photos
James Maki fell onto the electrified third rail at a Boston subway station on June 30, 2005, destroying the entire of the core of his face. After having a transplant, he said he couldn't wait to eat a ribeye steak.
James Maki fell onto the electrified third rail