Face Transplant Surgery gives firefighter his life back Mr Hardison suffered horrific burns in the line of duty in 2001 that destroyed his ears, lips, eyelids, hair and most of his nose. In August of 2015, Mr Hardison was given the chance to undergo the most extensive full facial transplant yet attempted.He underwent 71 surgeries in the hope of reconstructing his face to allow him to regain something approaching a normal life. Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez led the team of over 100 medical professionals who performed the transplant Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Chairman of Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center