A Lineman’s Transplant Journey

11/10/2025

Arkansas Veteran with World's First Whole-Eye and Partial Face Transplant in Medical Milestone

Aaron James from Hot Springs, Arkansas, made medical history as the 46-year-old military veteran recipient of the world's first whole-eye and partial face transplant. The pioneering procedure took place at NYU Langone Health in New York City in May 2023, giving James a second chance after a devastating high-voltage electrical accident while working as a lineman in 2021.

The 7200-volt electrical shock James sustained in June 2021 caused catastrophic injuries, including the loss of his dominant left arm, left eye, nose, lips, and other facial structures. He was rushed to specialists in Texas for initial reconstructive surgeries. But despite numerous reconstructive surgeries over the past two years James still suffered significant disfigurement and impairment and disability. When the Texas surgeons had to remove James' damaged left eye, they wisely preserved the optic nerve. This would make it possible to attempt a transplant in the future if needed.

In February 2023, James was officially listed with the United Network for Organ Sharing as a candidate for a face transplant. Just three months later, the teams at NYU Langone and LiveOnNY located a suitable donor. On May 27, 2023, Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez led the marathon 21-hour procedure. This involved transplanting James' entire left eye socket, eyelids, eyebrow, partial nose, lips, facial bones and nerves from the donor.

This surgery represents several firsts -- the first whole eye transplant, the first time an eye was transplanted along with facial tissues, and the first time adult stem cells were injected to try to aid nerve regeneration.

James spent only 17 days in the ICU and continues outpatient rehab in New York City. Despite the severity of his injuries, James made excellent progress. He returned home to Arkansas to continue his amazing recovery surrounded by family. James plans to have additional procedures like dental implants and may eventually return to work managing safety for utility crews.

James is thankful for this second chance and to the donor who made it possible. His pioneering surgery openex new possibilities for transplant medicine, opening the door to future innovations. He is an inspiration not just for Arkansas, but for people across the globe.

James' journey through 25 surgeries and years of recovery displays the life-changing power of determination, generosity, and medical breakthroughs. His story serves as an inspiration for those suffering severe trauma that there is always hope.

Source: NYU Langone Health

😎
1-888-FUN-AR-01
Jim Stipe Productions, PLLC

(This post falls under the Fair Use Act of 1976 for media publication.)

11/09/2025

Aaron and Meagan went to Manhattan this week for routine check-ups. He has been going every three months for a while. They informed him that he can now visit every six months. 🦾💪🏻

10/18/2025

Update on his appointments.

Everything with the heart looked great so that was a blessing. He is starting on blood pressure medicine so that makes me a little anxious.

His ortho appt was rather disappointing though. It’s almost been a year since he had the surgeries on his legs where they put in growth plate restrictors on the top of his femur (thigh bone). The maximum amount of time he can have those in is 2 years then they have to be removed. The goal of this was to keep the top of the femur from growing and as the bottom of it grows it straightens out his knee contractures. However, his femur has not grown much. They want to see him back in 6 mos and x-ray them again to see if he’s had a growth spurt. If not then he said they will probably just go ahead and schedule the surgery to remove them. Not going to lie, that felt like a punch in the gut. So right now we need prayers for a growth spurt if you guys could squeeze those in. Other than that the Lord has blessed us with keeping him well for a good portion of time and we sure have enjoyed it.

If you guys could say a prayer for bubba, he’s got a couple appointments tomorrow. One is a follow up with ortho on his legs the other is a new referral to cardiology for an echocardiogram.

He was discharged from cardiology when he was an infant so just pray we don’t have to add them back on the list of specialists we already seepg wjginet sn pomgs s wknnd ht wd sg

10/03/2025

Aaron got to meet Pat before Aaron had his face transplant. Both surgeries are by Dr Eduardo Rodriquez and his team of doctors 👏🏻💜

09/29/2025

A simple sticker. A powerful reminder.

Premier Voltage, Inc. crews are carrying the message on their hard hats—because safety isn’t optional. It’s life.

One more lost is one too many.

09/27/2025

Cheers 🥂 to 22 yrs! The couple that can make it thru anything. Happy anniversary!

09/26/2025

09/19/2025