My experience with Dr. Lehr

[Toad_NW3]

My Experience

 

 

My HT doctor was Dr. Blaine Lehr from the Norwood/Lehr hair clinic in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

 

My decision to go with Dr. Lehr was based on meeting him and a great in person consultation. I had sent my photos to two other Docs, but did not meet them b/c of traveling. It just so happens that I have family in Norman Oklahoma and so meeting w/ Dr. Lehr was easy. That also played into my decision that my family members (well, the two that know) would be there to take care of me and support me emotionally.

 

My take on Dr. Lehr is that he is a stand up guy who will shoot you straight, he makes realistic suggestions, is truthful about limitations, consequences, complications, etc. He has a great bedside manner. He is a gentle soul and at the same time displays confidence in what he does. He recommended that for the "thickness" that I desired that I would probably need two surgeries. He initially recommended my 1st HT be 2000 grafts.

 

Both times I met him he commented on how much donor hair I have. I am a NW3 (or was) with what I call a weak frontal forelock. I ended up receiving 1791 grafts. It appears that my hair grows naturally in 4s. So the cut of roughly 18 cm X .9 cm yielded less than anticipated. But the transplanted hairs cover the area I was expecting. He said b/c of the amount of fours I had I should expect the appearance of good density. He also said I had "average" laxity in my scalp. He said that it can be a good thing b/c too much laxity can cause wider scars.

 

When I first arrived at 6:45 a.m. I was taken back to the room. I was first asked to remove my shirt and put on the lovely gown. Then some of the assistants took pictures of me (my hair that is). Dr. Lehr came in, asked me how I was doing and told me that I was going to be given some medications for swelling, anti-infection, and to help me relax. He told me that some people will need additional meds for relaxation during the process and others would not, and that all I needed to do was ask.

 

He sat down in front of me and said that he was going to draw out the hairline and that my input was critical. The initial outline was exactly what I had in mind. It reflects what I feel was my hairline a few years ago. We did make minor adjustments to one side as I looked in the mirror and said I thought it looked slightly higher on one side than the other. He said my perspective was the most important and adjusted it.

 

One of the assistants then gave me the medications. I also took an Imodium AD. I told Dr. Lehr that when I get nervous it upsets my stomach. He said that would be fine to take the Imodium. For the record, I'm normally a pretty nervous person (although I'm told it doesn't show), but throughout the entire process and even the night before I was relatively calm. I was more nervous about making my 6:00 a.m. wakeup call.

 

I was asked if I brought any CDs. I said no, that classic rock was fine (I saw a CD labeled classic rock next to the CD player). One of the assistance started prepping me for the donor area. Once my hair was taped, and a strip was shaved, they took the view finder thing and measured my hair count. They then shaved the rest of the expected donor area.

 

Then the assistants taped numbing cream to my eyebrows. I was then asked to lay face down in a chair much like a massage table, only more ergonomic. I was told I would feel some slight stinging (I was told what was going on at every stage). It has been described on this board as much like a dental visit and I think that is accurate. You do feel a few needle insertions. They hurt some. (I only felt them in the back of my scalp. I really didn't remember feeling anything remotely close to pain in the recipient area. Maybe more like a slight burning in front.)

 

Dr. Lehr came in and explained that we would be taking out the donor area now. I have to admit that although I couldn't feel anything but pressure, the knowledge of what was happening did make me feel uncomfortable. That was the most difficult part, and not because of pain (there was none) but just because I knew a big hunk of stuff was getting cut from the back of my head. He did the strip in two sections. One was extracted across the back of the scalp, the other extending over my right ear just a bit. He had asked me what side of my body I slept on, and told me he would extract from the opposite side for sleeping purposes.

 

Before I knew it I was all stitched up with absorbable sutures. I do have one complaint about them, but have no reference to know if I would still prefer them over staples, but I still pick scraps of stitches from the back of my head now five weeks later. I was asked to turn over and I looked over to my right and saw technicians with microscopes steadfastly dissecting my follicles. Then two of the technicians started punches holes and filling them-one technician on either side. In Dr. Lehr's practice, his assistants do all the placements and incisions. I believe one of them has been there since Dr. Norwood (yes that Norwood) was still operating. Dr. Lehr was in the room quite often. He would ask me how I was feeling and if I had any questions. I remember him doing something to the top of my head (may have been some of the injections, but I was starting to fade at that point.) I do remember telling him a joke.

 

I asked to see one of the follicles, one of the techs showed me. I was surprised at how long they were. They look like cooked short rice. The one she showed me was a four (I could see the four hairs). She commented that I had a lot of fours. I watched Lord of the Rings. I fell asleep during Frodo's journey to the elf place. Then next thing I knew it was lunch time. I did have to get up one time to go to the bathroom, and that was not a problem. I had to look in the mirror and you could see a distinct U shape of incisions right at the hair line and another about an inch behind it.

 

After lunch, I asked for another "calming pill." I was given another Valium. The techs continued working on me. I remember getting cold, I asked for a blanket and a pillow for under my knees, and was promptly accommodated. It was really that comfortable. It seems strange to refer to surgery as comfortable, but it was.

 

Before I knew it, they were done. I normally hate sitting anywhere for very long. Valium is a cool thing to dispose of that quirk. I was given post-op instructions, and my family member who drove me was given the instructions as well.

 

I can only say that the experience was a comfortable one. I was impressed with how un-invasive the surgery was. I now have to wait to see how the results will turn out. The only thing that I would have them do differently would be a demonstration on how to wash my hair. I was told prior to surgery and again post-op the importance of washing. And I did wash my hair 4 times the first day after surgery, then twice a day for a week, then once a day there on out like instructed. But those first several washing, I was so afraid that I was going to screw it all up.

 

I was also instructed to do saline soaks and sprays often. I literally sprayed on the hour every hour for the first week. I slept sitting up. I did have some swelling. I laughed with my girlfriend that it was like I had Botox or something. I could try to raise my brow, but it just looked shiny and a bit swollen. I think the most swollen was on day 4, but nothing drastic.

 

On day 9 all of the scabs came off. They just washed away. It appeared that not a single hair fell with them. I never had any bleeding. At that point I was still pretty red. I called the Dr. and he called me in a prescription but told me not to use it until two weeks had past. I waited until the day before that to pick it up incase the redness had faded, but ended up purchasing it and have used it once a day, sparingly, since.

 

About two weeks in I developed some pimples. Dr. Lehr started me on antibiotics and it cleared up pretty quick (about three days). I have since been on the antibiotics and have had one little outbreak of pimples since the initial outbreak.

 

Most of the HT hairs started jumping ship about three weeks in. I have had some shock loss. My girlfriend says it looks "slightly" thinner. My hairdresser said it is thinner in the donor area. I have been on Propecia for 1.5 years (actually proscar cut in 4ths). I grew my hair out. I have a slight comb over going right now and I use just a touch of Toppik. The four people who know swear they can't tell. I sure can. But then again I'm so sensitive about my hair I was willing to have surgery.

 

I would say now, just into my sixth week PO, I have a slowly resolving pink hue to my scalp. It could be my imagination, but I think it is more pronounced in the evening. Rest might have something to do with it.

 

I have pictures of every stage (before, just after, 1-day, 3-day, 1-week, 2-week, 3-week, 1-month) but have to doctor them for anonymity sake. I will post them when I get this done. That will probably be in a few weeks as I am sooooo busy right now.

 

I will also make a comment about the psychology of the whole thing. I have had moments of elation, knowing I've done something and seeing the outline of where hair eventually will grow. I've also had moments of downright terror wondering "what have I done to myself." As time passes, and I return to looking how I did before, those swings become less often, but they still happen.

 

The top of my head tingles from time to time, as well as my donor area. Pimples hurt like hell. Sometimes my neck is tired from the donor area. I am certainly happy that I went ahead and took the plunge, but am anxiously awaiting the results (long time to be anxious, ehh?!?).

 

I want to thank this board for all the info it provides. Every once in a while I will have something happened (redness, shockloss, HT hairs shedding, etc) will panic, jump online, search the forum, and receive comfort. So I want to give back, and this is my story!

 

Toad

[Toad_NW3]

My Experience

 

 

My HT doctor was Dr. Blaine Lehr from the Norwood/Lehr hair clinic in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

 

My decision to go with Dr. Lehr was based on meeting him and a great in person consultation. I had sent my photos to two other Docs, but did not meet them b/c of traveling. It just so happens that I have family in Norman Oklahoma and so meeting w/ Dr. Lehr was easy. That also played into my decision that my family members (well, the two that know) would be there to take care of me and support me emotionally.

 

My take on Dr. Lehr is that he is a stand up guy who will shoot you straight, he makes realistic suggestions, is truthful about limitations, consequences, complications, etc. He has a great bedside manner. He is a gentle soul and at the same time displays confidence in what he does. He recommended that for the "thickness" that I desired that I would probably need two surgeries. He initially recommended my 1st HT be 2000 grafts.

 

Both times I met him he commented on how much donor hair I have. I am a NW3 (or was) with what I call a weak frontal forelock. I ended up receiving 1791 grafts. It appears that my hair grows naturally in 4s. So the cut of roughly 18 cm X .9 cm yielded less than anticipated. But the transplanted hairs cover the area I was expecting. He said b/c of the amount of fours I had I should expect the appearance of good density. He also said I had "average" laxity in my scalp. He said that it can be a good thing b/c too much laxity can cause wider scars.

 

When I first arrived at 6:45 a.m. I was taken back to the room. I was first asked to remove my shirt and put on the lovely gown. Then some of the assistants took pictures of me (my hair that is). Dr. Lehr came in, asked me how I was doing and told me that I was going to be given some medications for swelling, anti-infection, and to help me relax. He told me that some people will need additional meds for relaxation during the process and others would not, and that all I needed to do was ask.

 

He sat down in front of me and said that he was going to draw out the hairline and that my input was critical. The initial outline was exactly what I had in mind. It reflects what I feel was my hairline a few years ago. We did make minor adjustments to one side as I looked in the mirror and said I thought it looked slightly higher on one side than the other. He said my perspective was the most important and adjusted it.

 

One of the assistants then gave me the medications. I also took an Imodium AD. I told Dr. Lehr that when I get nervous it upsets my stomach. He said that would be fine to take the Imodium. For the record, I'm normally a pretty nervous person (although I'm told it doesn't show), but throughout the entire process and even the night before I was relatively calm. I was more nervous about making my 6:00 a.m. wakeup call.

 

I was asked if I brought any CDs. I said no, that classic rock was fine (I saw a CD labeled classic rock next to the CD player). One of the assistance started prepping me for the donor area. Once my hair was taped, and a strip was shaved, they took the view finder thing and measured my hair count. They then shaved the rest of the expected donor area.

 

Then the assistants taped numbing cream to my eyebrows. I was then asked to lay face down in a chair much like a massage table, only more ergonomic. I was told I would feel some slight stinging (I was told what was going on at every stage). It has been described on this board as much like a dental visit and I think that is accurate. You do feel a few needle insertions. They hurt some. (I only felt them in the back of my scalp. I really didn't remember feeling anything remotely close to pain in the recipient area. Maybe more like a slight burning in front.)

 

Dr. Lehr came in and explained that we would be taking out the donor area now. I have to admit that although I couldn't feel anything but pressure, the knowledge of what was happening did make me feel uncomfortable. That was the most difficult part, and not because of pain (there was none) but just because I knew a big hunk of stuff was getting cut from the back of my head. He did the strip in two sections. One was extracted across the back of the scalp, the other extending over my right ear just a bit. He had asked me what side of my body I slept on, and told me he would extract from the opposite side for sleeping purposes.

 

Before I knew it I was all stitched up with absorbable sutures. I do have one complaint about them, but have no reference to know if I would still prefer them over staples, but I still pick scraps of stitches from the back of my head now five weeks later. I was asked to turn over and I looked over to my right and saw technicians with microscopes steadfastly dissecting my follicles. Then two of the technicians started punches holes and filling them-one technician on either side. In Dr. Lehr's practice, his assistants do all the placements and incisions. I believe one of them has been there since Dr. Norwood (yes that Norwood) was still operating. Dr. Lehr was in the room quite often. He would ask me how I was feeling and if I had any questions. I remember him doing something to the top of my head (may have been some of the injections, but I was starting to fade at that point.) I do remember telling him a joke.

 

I asked to see one of the follicles, one of the techs showed me. I was surprised at how long they were. They look like cooked short rice. The one she showed me was a four (I could see the four hairs). She commented that I had a lot of fours. I watched Lord of the Rings. I fell asleep during Frodo's journey to the elf place. Then next thing I knew it was lunch time. I did have to get up one time to go to the bathroom, and that was not a problem. I had to look in the mirror and you could see a distinct U shape of incisions right at the hair line and another about an inch behind it.

 

After lunch, I asked for another "calming pill." I was given another Valium. The techs continued working on me. I remember getting cold, I asked for a blanket and a pillow for under my knees, and was promptly accommodated. It was really that comfortable. It seems strange to refer to surgery as comfortable, but it was.

 

Before I knew it, they were done. I normally hate sitting anywhere for very long. Valium is a cool thing to dispose of that quirk. I was given post-op instructions, and my family member who drove me was given the instructions as well.

 

I can only say that the experience was a comfortable one. I was impressed with how un-invasive the surgery was. I now have to wait to see how the results will turn out. The only thing that I would have them do differently would be a demonstration on how to wash my hair. I was told prior to surgery and again post-op the importance of washing. And I did wash my hair 4 times the first day after surgery, then twice a day for a week, then once a day there on out like instructed. But those first several washing, I was so afraid that I was going to screw it all up.

 

I was also instructed to do saline soaks and sprays often. I literally sprayed on the hour every hour for the first week. I slept sitting up. I did have some swelling. I laughed with my girlfriend that it was like I had Botox or something. I could try to raise my brow, but it just looked shiny and a bit swollen. I think the most swollen was on day 4, but nothing drastic.

 

On day 9 all of the scabs came off. They just washed away. It appeared that not a single hair fell with them. I never had any bleeding. At that point I was still pretty red. I called the Dr. and he called me in a prescription but told me not to use it until two weeks had past. I waited until the day before that to pick it up incase the redness had faded, but ended up purchasing it and have used it once a day, sparingly, since.

 

About two weeks in I developed some pimples. Dr. Lehr started me on antibiotics and it cleared up pretty quick (about three days). I have since been on the antibiotics and have had one little outbreak of pimples since the initial outbreak.

 

Most of the HT hairs started jumping ship about three weeks in. I have had some shock loss. My girlfriend says it looks "slightly" thinner. My hairdresser said it is thinner in the donor area. I have been on Propecia for 1.5 years (actually proscar cut in 4ths). I grew my hair out. I have a slight comb over going right now and I use just a touch of Toppik. The four people who know swear they can't tell. I sure can. But then again I'm so sensitive about my hair I was willing to have surgery.

 

I would say now, just into my sixth week PO, I have a slowly resolving pink hue to my scalp. It could be my imagination, but I think it is more pronounced in the evening. Rest might have something to do with it.

 

I have pictures of every stage (before, just after, 1-day, 3-day, 1-week, 2-week, 3-week, 1-month) but have to doctor them for anonymity sake. I will post them when I get this done. That will probably be in a few weeks as I am sooooo busy right now.

 

I will also make a comment about the psychology of the whole thing. I have had moments of elation, knowing I've done something and seeing the outline of where hair eventually will grow. I've also had moments of downright terror wondering "what have I done to myself." As time passes, and I return to looking how I did before, those swings become less often, but they still happen.

 

The top of my head tingles from time to time, as well as my donor area. Pimples hurt like hell. Sometimes my neck is tired from the donor area. I am certainly happy that I went ahead and took the plunge, but am anxiously awaiting the results (long time to be anxious, ehh?!?).

 

I want to thank this board for all the info it provides. Every once in a while I will have something happened (redness, shockloss, HT hairs shedding, etc) will panic, jump online, search the forum, and receive comfort. So I want to give back, and this is my story!

 

Toad

[nobuzz4me]

Thank you for documenting your journey so far, it is valuable for any newbies considering HT.

 

It is a very big step and even though the experience is about as painful as going to the the dentist, the post op swelling, pain, nights sleeping for the next couple of days ar not like post dental work! Well, I remember wisdom teeth though, they hurt for some time after.

 

Glad to hear your doctor walked you thru everything with no surprises. Hope you recover well and by Spring, those hair buds will be blooming!

[Toad_NW3]

I certainly want to give back to the community hear. It has been a Godsend for me.

 

I agree it is only comparable to Dental work as far as the process while it is going on. I can close my mouth, but can't close my head.

 

Oh, and I noticed a typo. My hairdresser said that my recipient area is thinner. Not my donor area. My Donor area cannot be seen unless I get my hair wet and pull my hair up to see it.

 

Toad

[Pat - Community Publisher]

Toad,

 

Congratulations on making the leap and for your very detailed and reality based account.

 

It sounds like you were fortunate to have many four haired follicular units, which will provide you with greater density and coverage for a given number of grafts.

 

Feel free to create a free weblog to document your ongoing restoration.

 

Best wishes for great healing and growth.

 

Thanks again for giving back to this community.

 

Pat

[hairbank]

Toad,

 

Thanks for posting your blow by blow. It sounds like you had a great experience. Best of luck to you on healing and growth. If you'd care to post some before and after pics that'd be great.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Toad,

 

Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your experience with us. I look forward to when you can post your photos. If you need help with making your photos more anonymous, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to edit them for you. If you know how to do it yourself, of course, that's good too...just thought I'd offer to help. Keep us posted my friend.

 

Bill

[HK500]

Toad thank you for your play by play account. It seems you will have great result from this surgeon and we are all looking forward to your pictures of before, during and the different stages of after.

[Toad_NW3]

Hello fellow HTers,

 

Just an update. Sorry that I am so busy and have yet to put my pictures on a blog. I have photos at every stage. Thanks to Billoros for offering to "doctor" them (don't you claim not to be a doctor? ). I know how, just haven't had the time. I'm now at just over 7 weeks. Wanted to tell how things are going and get feedback about what I am experiencing.

 

The redness that had turned to pinkness is almost all but gone. I have what I would call a "shadow" left where the HT was performed. Oddly it acts as a bit of a concealing agent itself. When I have my hair combed forward (my current comb-over) underneath where I have always been thin seems a bit darker from a distance b/c of this residual shadow.

 

However, some redness does occur from time to time b/c of pimples. This redness is localized to the pimples. Pimples are a funny thing. I believe that the first series of pimples I had was actually foliculitus. They appeared at week two, I began anti-biotics, and they quickly subsided. About week four pimples returned but of a different "nature." I don't know if that is because my skin was still all "freaky" at week two, or if growth has actually begun (seems awfully early). But last week I had what I would for sure consider two ingrown hairs. They didn't "pustule" they way the earlier pimples did, they formed tiny "mounds" without any puss, except for when I pierced them with a sterile needle.

 

How I currently deal with the pimples is to burst them with the sterile needle every so gently, take a q-tip dipped in witch hazel, and gently roll it over the area. Seems to be effective at minimizing their stay.

 

Shock-loss has continued slowly in the recipient area. Luckily I have good crown hair and side hair that I have been able to pull off the comb-over. Some people look at my head, but my sister and girlfriend (both who know) swear it is simply that my hair-style is different. I still use a touch of toppik. B/C I comb my hair forward, I use it just a bit behind the hairline and it is effective.

 

I of course am curious how much shocked hair will return. Some hair that falls out seems like good hair, other hairs that fall out I think to myself that was a hair sure to have been loss to balding because they are thinner and less colored (neither gray nor dark brown like my hair) than my "normal" hair.

 

As I run my hand slowly over my head (front t back) and watch in the mirror I have what I would call vellus hairs ??“ and a lot of them. I have always had some of these and don't know if this is growth, or that they just never shocked out. I also have very very very short hairs seemly starting to sprout sporadically around my scalp. I wonder if these are shocked hairs returning? They are darker than the vellus hairs and straighter as well. They are also shorter than the hairs that I loss do to shedding.

 

Most of my shedding is done. The mass of shed HT hairs come at week 3-4. I slowly saw a few a day in the shower or sink after that period. Most of them were about ?? inch, but some where half that size. I still have a few persistent ones that feel weird/stuck.

 

The psychology of the surgery is still the same. I go from being excited to being dismayed. My girlfriend is tired of me asking "how do I look?"

 

Is there a correlation between growth time frame and balding scale? I have always had hair that grew incredibly fast, especially the hair from the back and sides. That hair is now the hair in my recipient area. I wonder if I'm a fast grower, delusional, or average with average fears/hopes? I am a NW3 that slowly got there over the last 12 years.

 

A lot of threads here say pimples are a sign that something is happening. My pimples started very early.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Toad