Sly Bald Guys Forum

New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: RobW on June 04, 2007, 07:32:30 AM

Title: Hello Everyone!
Post by: RobW on June 04, 2007, 07:32:30 AM
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
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: PBurke on June 04, 2007, 07:37:25 AM
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.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: jusbnme on June 04, 2007, 07:44:38 AM
Welcome Rob.  Leave the past in the past and embrace the new you bro.   O0
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Tyler on June 04, 2007, 08:40:41 AM
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!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Paul on June 04, 2007, 10:29:25 AM
Glad to have you with us Rob...here's to you healing quickly O0
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Robmeister on June 04, 2007, 11:20:59 AM
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, O0
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Stu on June 04, 2007, 11:30:22 AM
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.'
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Kajun on June 04, 2007, 11:34:59 AM
great story rob!,thanks for sharing and welcome to SBG's  O0 if you think you feel liberated now wait till you shave it !
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Sgt. Pate on June 04, 2007, 12:29:21 PM
Welcome to the "asylum" Rob!   O:O
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: KALBO on June 04, 2007, 02:21:43 PM
Welcome to SBGs, Rob! 8)
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: wpruitt on June 04, 2007, 02:31:54 PM
Welcome Rob - glad you saw the light!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Tom McGarry. on June 04, 2007, 03:40:54 PM
Welcome to the SBG family Rob, looking forward to see your shiny sly dome after you're all heald up.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: SLYinKC on June 04, 2007, 04:23:52 PM
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!!! !B@
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Rhymez on June 04, 2007, 04:31:23 PM
Cool story, and welcome RobW. This site is great. Nothing you cant find on here man.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: mikesj on June 04, 2007, 06:33:37 PM
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.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: RobW on June 04, 2007, 09:20:01 PM
Thanks for the welcoming comments guys! This really is a great site! The support system here is amazing.

Since I've been wearing the buzz cut for quite some time now...it will be an easy transition for me to go Sly.  Can't wait!

Thanks again and I'll be posting again soon I'm sure.

Rob
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: fireman on June 04, 2007, 10:36:08 PM
RobW,
Welcome to the club brother you will be a happier man when your able to get to it. Hope the healing is sooner than later!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: shyslyguy on June 05, 2007, 04:06:29 AM
Hi RobW,

 I can relate to what you went through. I started losing my hair in my early twenties & I have to say - it was not fun. Not exactly a confidence booster. For a while I too used one of those hair "thickner" products. I guess it helped for a bit but soon I really came to hate it as I was still losing hair & was always wondering if people could notice as in certain lighting conditions it just didn't cut it. I can't tell you what a relief it was when I stopped using it. As many others here can testify - it's a liberating experience when you accept yourself as you are & f--ck what any once else thinks! And of course, the result is .. you become a more attractive person to others as well - hair or no hair! 

Welcome aboard bruv.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: PigPen on June 05, 2007, 07:09:50 AM
Glad you found us Rob! Hope you enjoy the new SLY you!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: BALDANDRE on June 05, 2007, 08:16:05 AM
Welcome Rob!

You think you've got a new outlook with the buzzcut? Wait until you take it down smooth...talk about feeling empowered...sly is a very cool thing! 8)
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: Leigh_12play on June 05, 2007, 04:43:48 PM
Welcome Rob
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: warhawk on June 05, 2007, 05:51:01 PM
welcome  and luv the story :)
Title: Re: Hello Everyone!
Post by: froze on June 07, 2007, 12:04:08 PM
Welcome bro! You will love the Sly and the Sly Guys! O0