A 64 year old bank courier from Halifax, Mass underwent a 15 hour transplant operation on May 8th to the 9th. The man had his penis removed due to cancer and was eager to “go back to being who I was.” The procedure cost between $50,000 to $75,000 which is being paid by the hospital. All the doctors participating in this historical procedure are donating their time. Despite being “uncharted waters” the doctors are “cautiously optimistic” and the patient is recovering well.

The patient will need to take several anti-rejection medications for the rest of his life. Other medications will be used to hopefully regenerate nerve tissue and perhaps can even restore other functions eventually.

Another patient is already ready to undergo the procedure as soon as a suitable transplant can be found. The research foundation that heads the efforts say that ultimately the procedure will be standard practice to help veterans who have been injured in combat.