Hi Ryan
good luck with your journey
I have been around the block with HT disaster and I will tell you that Dr Umar is a true master and can be argued the best HT doctor in the world. I have done 15,500 grafts so far over 1.5 yrs. (my case is repair) and will most likely be doing another 5K+ grafts. From my personal experience-unless you are doing different parts of the scalp at different time, then doing the same "area" in a 3-4 month period is to short. Of course Dr Umar is the judge because I am just talking from experience. If you put in the effort (time, commitment, etc) you will be pleased.. Dr Umar has changed my life for the better. I don't come on these forums to often, but sometimes when I do, guys complain about body hair, etc, not being perfect, and huge numbers needed, etc. At the end of the day-cost aside-Dr Umar has the ability to use this as in invaluable source and blends hairs. I know other have recommended to you-BUT NEVER DO STRIP- you are asking for real trouble from a cosmetic stand point if you have lost a lot. Forget about the comment "strip out first". Take it from a guy who has multiple strip procedures and scalp reductions by "famous" but butcher doctors. If you are going to do anything-I highly, highly recommend to see Dr Umar. I fly 5 hrs away to see him (from Toronto). Plan for the max and give yourself the time and patients. But once again-from my experience if you do say 20K grafts, give yourself about 3 yrs for the whole process (even if you had completed the work within that time).
Dr Umar is the precursor to unlimited supply. Between a beard (side burns, chin, under neck, face), sides of head, back of head, and if you have a fair amount of body hair)-the sky is the limit.-the ratios match. but more importantly it is done in a way that leave virtually no scar behind-which is a huge deal-no linear scalpels, etc.
may the force be with you.