Even if the can get 5k from the back but that's not the point. The fact of the matter is, as we all know, the scar strip will leave isn't an exact science. So if it stretches even the slightest bit it's going to be noticeable at a short length.
I'm not trying to kill hope by any means but I'd rather throw some reality his way than have him hate his life because now he has to cover a strip scar by growing his hair longer than it should be with a poor result in the front and crown of his head.
I have a strip scar with which I am not happy, and it sucks...bottom line, it's worse than going bald. At least bald is a natural occurrence, the stigma of having a hair transplant is much worse than the stigma of going bald. While at this point without a strip scar if he shaves close he won't look bald he'll just look like that's how he keeps his hair.
I wish for him his situation never happened, I honestly wish it went as well as it could have and he'd never have to think about his hair again, but the fact remains that it didn't, and that's what he has to work with.