Joe DiMeo, the recipient of the world’s first successful combined face and double hand transplant, has released a memoir detailing his survival after a catastrophic accident and the medical journey that followed. The book, 80 Percent Gone, 100 Percent Strong, documents the events leading to the transplant, his recovery, and life after one of the most complex reconstructive procedures performed to date.
DiMeo was 18 years old when he fell asleep while driving home from work in 2018. His car crashed and caught fire, leaving him trapped inside. He sustained third-degree burns over approximately 80 percent of his body. The injuries caused extensive damage to his face and hands and resulted in prolonged hospitalization. He remained in a medically induced coma for more than three months and required multiple surgeries during early recovery.
Due to the severity of tissue loss, standard reconstructive procedures were unable to restore essential functions such as facial movement, hand grip, and sensation. After extensive evaluation, DiMeo became a candidate for vascularized composite allotransplantation, a specialized form of transplantation that involves transferring multiple tissue types such as skin, muscle, nerves, and bone as a single unit.
In a recent TikTok clip, the content creator recalled being in a coma for nearly three and a half months following the accident and later spending time in a burn unit, where he had to relearn how to walk.
In August 2020, surgeons at NYU Langone Health’s reconstructive transplant program, led by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, director of the Face Transplant Program and a leader in vascularized composite allotransplantation, performed the world’s first successful simultaneous transplant of a full face and both hands. The operation lasted approximately 23 hours and involved more than 140 healthcare professionals. Donor tissues came from a single deceased donor, which helped reduce immunological risk.
Following the transplant, DiMeo underwent prolonged rehabilitation, including physical and occupational therapy, to regain movement and adapt to the transplanted tissues. As with all composite tissue transplants, he requires lifelong immunosuppressive medication to prevent graft rejection. Long-term risks in vascularized composite allotransplantation include episodes of acute and chronic rejection, infection burden, metabolic complications, and the need for ongoing surveillance to preserve graft function.
In a recent TikTok clip, DiMeo said that several people had encouraged him to write a book about his journey, describing it as inspiring and motivating.
He added that he had not initially considered writing a book, noting that he was not interested in writing during high school. However, he said he eventually decided to proceed with the idea.
He initially had not considered writing a book, noting he was not interested in writing in high school, but eventually decided to proceed with the idea. DiMeo stated that he hopes the book will help motivate others facing difficult periods and provide support during challenging times.
In his memoir, DiMeo describes his physical recovery, including loss of muscle mass after prolonged immobilization and the challenges of rebuilding strength.
The book also covers psychological adjustment and daily life after transplantation. He has stated that writing the book allowed him to document the medical process in detail and share his experience with others facing serious injuries.
DiMeo has gained a following on social media, where he discusses recovery milestones and transplant-related topics. Through public engagement, he has drawn attention to organ donation and the role it plays in advanced medical procedures. His memoir adds a patient-reported perspective to an area of medicine that remains rare and highly specialized.
The successful combined face and double hand transplant remains a reference point in reconstructive and transplant medicine. While such procedures are limited to carefully selected patients, DiMeo’s long-term outcome contributes valuable insights into surgical feasibility, rehabilitation, and quality-of-life considerations following vascularized composite allotransplantation.
NYU Langone Health. 2020. “NYU Langone Health Performs World’s First Successful Face and Double Hand Transplant.” Accessed January 30, 2026. https://nyulangone.org/news/associated-press-new-chance-life-man-gets-face-hands-rare-surgery
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