experts ranging from anesthesiologists, facial transplant surgeons and plastic surgeons all touched the patients. 10 from the department of medicine. it s four or five hospital departments. it started with me admitting the donor that s about 20 people that touched that patient. this is the most remarkable thing i have ever seen. reporter: since 2005, norris has undergone several procedures. but until now, hasn t been able to function outside his home. putting the muscles back together. putting the nerves. redrapeing the face. ensuring that the hair line matches as ideal as possible and reconnecting the tongue. and now came the final tailoring, which is the connection of the nerves, the muscles, the soft tissue. providing this drape of mr. richard norris, only six days after his surgical procedure. [ applause ] reporter: now, norris can talk and brush his teeth, thanks to a procedure that is expected to improve the lives of countless patients. reporter: and that