At a Glance
- Joe DiMeo survived an accident that burned 80% of his body in 2018.
- He became the first recipient of a face and double-hand transplant in August 2020.
- The surgery involved 140 medical staff and lasted 23 hours.
- Why it matters: DiMeo’s story illustrates the limits of modern medicine and the resilience that can follow life-changing trauma.
Joe DiMeo’s life was forever altered when a car crash at age 18 left him with burns covering 80% of his body. Seven years later, he underwent the world’s first successful face and double-hand transplant, a procedure that required a team of 140 specialists and 23 hours of surgery. Through TikTok videos, a memoir, and a public speaking career, DiMeo shares how the accident, the transplant, and the support of his wife shaped his new reality.
A Life-Altering Accident
The incident occurred early in the morning after DiMeo had worked a night shift. He fell asleep behind the wheel of his Dodge Challenger and woke months later in a burn unit. In a recent TikTok clip, he reflected on the three-and-a-half-month coma that followed:
> “Waking up from the coma, I also lost 30 pounds of muscle, because I was a gym rat back in the day,” DiMeo said.
He added that the muscle loss was a key factor in his survival:
> “That’s the reason why I survived that accident, that’s what the doctors say. Because if it wasn’t for all that muscle I lost, I would have died.”
After leaving the burn unit, DiMeo entered a rehabilitation program where he relearned basic mobility before returning to his parents’ home.
The Historic Transplant
In 2019, DiMeo met Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez of NYU Langone. Despite knowing the operation was risky, Rodriguez identified DiMeo as a suitable candidate for a face and double-hand transplant.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Donor age | 47 |
| Hands & face received | 1 donor each |
| Surgical team | 140 medical personnel |
| Duration | 23 hours |
| Date | August 2020 |
The transplant was the first successful attempt after two prior unsuccessful surgeries on other patients. DiMeo’s recovery involved extensive rehabilitation focused on regaining hand function and facial mobility.
Sharing the Journey
DiMeo first revealed his experience to the public in a TikTok video that has amassed over a million views. He then published a memoir titled 80 Percent Gone, 100 Percent Strong: Rebuilt with Resilience, documenting his path from the accident to the transplant.
He explained the motivation behind writing the book:
> “I never thought of it, because I ditched writing class in high school, wasn’t a fan of it. [But] one day I just said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.'”
DiMeo hopes the book will inspire others facing hardship:
> “Hopefully the book can inspire other people and motivate them through hard times and get them through their cloudy days at least.”
In June 2025, DiMeo appeared on News Of Los Angeles‘s “I Survived” YouTube series, where he discussed the transplant and his ongoing recovery.
Love and Partnership
Not long after the surgery, DiMeo met Jessica, a nursing student who learned about him through a professor and a documentary. She first saw a before-and-after photo and thought he was “handsome.”
> “I remember looking at the picture of him, before and after, and thinking, ‘Dang, that sucks. He was a handsome guy.’ But that’s all I thought,” Jessica told News Of Los Angeles.
They connected on Instagram in 2021 and transitioned from a long-distance relationship to living together in New Jersey. The couple eloped in Hawaii in December 2024. Despite public scrutiny, they maintain a positive outlook:
> “It sucks I got into the accident. I lost 80% of my skin, and I have someone else’s face and hands on me. But then I also found my life partner, and if I wouldn’t have had the accident, I’d probably still be a cocky 26-year-old.”
A New Chapter
DiMeo’s memoir is now available for purchase, offering readers an intimate look at his transformation. His story underscores how modern medicine can provide second chances and how personal resilience can turn tragedy into triumph.
Key Takeaways
- 80% of DiMeo’s body was burned in 2018, leading to a coma and extensive rehabilitation.
- He became the first to receive a face and double-hand transplant in August 2020, a procedure that required 140 staff and 23 hours.
- DiMeo uses social media and publishing to share his recovery, aiming to motivate others.
- His partnership with Jessica began after the transplant and culminated in a Hawaiian elopement in December 2024.
- The memoir 80 Percent Gone, 100 Percent Strong offers a detailed account of his journey.
