Hello Everyone!

[RobW]

I just wanted to introduce myself as I am a new member here.  I found this site about 2 months ago, can't remember how I stumbled onto this site but I'm glad I did! 

First let me say that I'm not Sly (yet..).  Currently I'm shaved to a #1...sometimes #2. 

Here is my story.....I'm 44 and for most of my life I had great hair.  I started to notice that I was thinning in my mid to late 30's.  By the time I was 40 I started using concealers (toppix, prothick etc..) to mask the thinning.  Yes, I went through the stages we all went through...denial, anger etc... I spent too much money on trying to fix a situation that was really out of my control.  That is the problem...in the end we can't really control it.  Drugs like propecia...are really only temporary solutions...even if they work at all.  I go so desparate that last summer I did something I never thought I would.  I got a hairpiece.  The worst ....and best decision of my life.  By that I mean this.... wearing a hairpiece is the ultimate in covering yourself up...on the outside and inside.  It does nothing for your self-esteem.  Yes....they can look good...and in fact nobody had a clue I was wearing...except for me that is.  I never felt right about it and after about 6 weeks or so I did something again that I never thought I would do...I shaved down to a #1.  Wow!  How liberating that was!  I have to thank the fact that I was wearing a hairpiece...because since I had shaved the top of my head for the piece, the only way to stop wearing was to shave my entire head.  I had no choice.  Much to my surprise I really liked the way it looked....and I got nothing but compliments on it. (except from my son..who loves long hair lol!).  It motivated me to get in shape.  I turn 45 in  few weeks and I've never felt better about myself. I'm in the best shape of my life and feel very confident about who I am.  You have to control what you can control....and let the rest go (hair that is).  When I look at other guys my age who still have a full head of hair...they have completely let themselves go physically.  So in a way my hairloss is responsible for me getting into shape.  Crazy...I know...but it is true.

As I said..I'm not sly (yet..)...and I will post some pics soon.  The reason for not being sly yet is this...after years of concealers and then glueing some road-kill onto my head... my scalp doesn't look very good.  Keeping it at a #1 and using some lotion helps to mask that.  As soon as it heals...I'll shave it all off.

I wasted all those years and $$$.... I wish I would have found this site 5 years ago!!

Rob

[PBurke]

great story rob. glad you found us and also that you just accepted the hand that mother nature dealt you. i know it was the same hand as far as thinning, but she dealt me a winner too. stick around and post up. looking forward to knowing you more.

[jusbnme]

Welcome Rob.  Leave the past in the past and embrace the new you bro.   

[Tyler]

Welcome Rob!! Glad you found us.  Learn all that you can while your scalp heals and then you'll be ready to have a nice, Sly dome!

[Paul]

Glad to have you with us Rob...here's to you healing quickly

[Robmeister]

Welcome, Rob!

From one 40-something Rob to another...I know much of what yer outlining....had plenty of hair 'till about my mid-thirties.   Never really worried about it or tried cover-ups or remedies.

But that doesn't minimize the liberation and self-confidence I now have at 45 after going SLY.

And yer right...it is a great motivation for getting in shape,

[Stu]

Welcome Rob,

I love your new-found attitude.  You have to control what you can, and by buzzing your hair, you actually are controlling an uncontrollable situation.  I hate those hairloss commericals that begin, 'the only way to control your thinning, balding hair is...'  I always finish those words with '... to shave it all off because their is no solution.'  Welcome aboard the good ship 'Sly.'

[Kajun]

great story rob!,thanks for sharing and welcome to SBG's  if you think you feel liberated now wait till you shave it !

[Sgt. Pate]

Welcome to the "asylum" Rob!   

[KALBO]

Welcome to SBGs, Rob!

[wpruitt]

Welcome Rob - glad you saw the light!

[Tom McGarry.]

Welcome to the SBG family Rob, looking forward to see your shiny sly dome after you're all heald up.

[SLYinKC]

Welcome Rob, Your story sounds like mine.  Pictures in my 30's show I still had a good supply of hair.  But something happens in the 40's.  Glad to hear your on your way to SLY freedom!!!

[Rhymez]

Cool story, and welcome RobW. This site is great. Nothing you cant find on here man.

[mikesj]

Welcome Rob, glad you found SBG's.  I too came to be sly after going the hairpiece route (13 years). It was a truly liberating experience taking it off for the last time and shaving it down. It has been a real motivator for me to get in the best shape that I can be in. I try not to think of all the time and $$$ invested in covering up my hair loss for all those years. Am just enjoying being sly and would never go back.
Congratulations on your decision....looking forward to hearing about the next step when your scalp is ready.