UPDATE: Shaved head and surgery was successful.

[mentalsolstice]

Last edited Fri Jan 15, 2016, 02:38 PM - Edit history (4)

I'm going to have brain surgery in two phases over the next two weeks. Once it's all over, one third to one half of my hair will be shaved on the left side of my head. Unfortunately, my hair is short, so I can't do a combover.

On the plus side my hair is thick and grows fast. I have a slouchy hat on hand, and I thought about ordering some Buff bandanas, http://sahalie.blair.com/p/original-buff-bandana/46067.uts?is=Y&store=13&count=500&intl=n&q=buff&keyword=buff. So I could cover up that side for awhile.

The other thought is to shave it all off and start over again. Or maybe I could do a Trump thing, but I don't wanna.

What would you do with your crowning glory?

And I don't want to leave men out of this discussion. It's just that hair loss is probably a more daily concern for you guys.

UPDATE: First phase of the surgery is over and all went well. Because my neurologist is doing some research about the causes of Dystonia, he wanted to run a never before tried experiment during the surgery (the surgery proceeded as usual, just that he'd be at the other end of the table testing my muscle responses in a new way). To prep for his research, we ended up shaving off more than anticipated. I ended up looking like Larry from the Three Stooges. When we got home the next day my husband shaved the rest of it off. I have a 2d surgery scheduled for Wednesday, and they'll shave another strip around my ear. I can say right now, I'm not cut out to rock the bald look. I'm fine with short, just not bald. It is interesting to see the growth patterns though!

Thank you for all the well wishes!

[blogslut]

1. Shave it all.

In three months it will be a manageable length.

I think everyone should shave their hair down to the scalp at least once in their adult life. It's a great way to understand your unique growth pattern and to see whether or not you have a good head shape.

[Scuba]

30. ^^This^^

[we can do it]

2. Cut it all off. I have Alopecia areata- keep my hair close cut and love it.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Baldness is not a big deal anymore for women. People understand.

However, if you like to accessorize, I like the decorative elastic head bands or bandanas.

[In_The_Wind]

4. Shave my entire head.

Good vibes for a total recovery in record time.

[img][/img]

[patricia92243]

23. #8 has some good ideas, but if you wait until after your surgery, you might feel tired and

not doing anything for a little while. I would have it cut super short (but not shaved) for now, then when you feel more up to it, treat yourself and make whatever decision makes you happy and confident.

Best of luck!

[csziggy]

5. When my oldest sister had brain surgery, then radiation she got a turban

In fact, a volunteer group at the cancer hospital made them and gave them to patients. She ended up with several to match different outfits.

Her hair had been below her shoulders but when she got her first surgery she went ahead and shaved it all off. What with the radiation and chemo treatments her hair never really grew back, especially by the time she had her second surgery. (She had glioblastoma multiforma - the same kind of cancer that killed Ted Kennedy. In 1991-92 she knew a lot of neurologists and brain surgeons and they did some experimental treatments that gave her six times the original prognosis.Her doctoral thesis was "Sections of the Brain" and is still one of the definitive pre-CATscan references on preparing samples for pathological examination.)

My second oldest sister found a wig that was the same color as our oldest sister's hair and gave it to her. She only used that for a few special occasions. The turbans were easier to use and more comfortable over the scars. She tried tying scarves around her head but found them uncomfortable - she had the family round skull that makes scarves and headbands slide off as if they were on a beach ball!

The ones she used most often looked a lot like this basic one: https://www.tlcdirect.org/Cotton-Spandex-Three-Seam-Basic-Turbans.html?did=5 But she also had a couple of dressier ones for when she went to meetings. That site I listed has a lot of hats, turbans and scarves that could give you ideas.

These days nearly any hair style is OK - I've seen women with half their head shaved and the other half with long hair. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of shaving the entire head, leave what you can and make it work for you.

Good luck with your surgeries. I hope they go well and you recover quickly.

[mentalsolstice]

6. Thank you for the answers so far.

Last edited Wed Jan 6, 2016, 12:09 AM - Edit history (1)

I think I'll wait and see how much is shaved, and then go from there. I've worn my hair very short in the past, and I'm currently somewhat short and gray (only colored once). I'm only scared about shaving it off...what if I have a weird head shape? Fortunately I know it will grow out fast, and it should be the least of my concerns.

However, we put a lot of our physical perception of ourselves in our hair. Crazy, isn't it?

[winter is coming]

7. Shave it all off and give no fucks. n/t

[femmocrat]

8. This is called an "asymmetrical bob" and seems to be popular:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/262475484510125176/ Scroll down for some shorter styles. Very cute!

Best wishes for your recovery, mentalsolstice.

[trueblue2007]

19. wonderful and gorgeous hairstyles. i would do that. i would not shave my head.

[Arugula Latte]

22. That's a good point -- part shaved and part long is "in" now,

so that makes the option of not shaving everything a bit more of an option.

[mentalsolstice]

26. Nice!

Ha! Maybe I'll embrace my baldness and keep it for awhile.

[NightWatcher]

9. Shave it and write "bad ass survivor" on the side in marker

I've friends who had chemo or surgery and even while I'm on low dose chemo, shave it and be proud. I'm sure your supporters will have your back and they may shave theirs too.

[mentalsolstice]

15. My husband is threatening to shave his! eom

[tammywammy]

10. I've never been in that position personally

But you may wanna see how much they take off. My good friend has a long on top and short sides. Kinda like this http://www.womensbeautylife.com/gallery/women-trendy-hairstyles/Trendy_punky_women_hairstyle_with_extrem_short_hair_length_on_the_sides_and_back_and_very_long_swept_long_bangs_with_layers#.Vox9wOxOKnM

[handmade34]

11. I love my bald head

so easy to care for!

good luck with the surgery!

[MissB]

12. If i had to face what you will face, I'd shave it off

I hope the surgeries go perfectly. Embrace the baldness - for you it will only be temporary. I'd also think it would be a lot easier to grow all of it out rather than trying to blend two sides together.

[Solly Mack]

13. Best of luck! Wishing you the best possible outcome!

Shave it off.

[mnhtnbb]

14. I hope the surgery goes well and you heal quickly.

Hair grows back. Just do it--shave your whole head--and start over.

Get some great long earrings. Treat yourself to a make-up makeover--maybe try out
some new eye make-up?--to give yourself a boost.

Hats are fun, too. So are scarves.

Good luck with the surgery.

[mentalsolstice]

16. Thank you for all the well wishes!

Once it's done, I'll try to post pictures on my progress.

[BlueJazz]

17. They make some pretty nice wigs for about 20 bucks

.
.


.
.

[mentalsolstice]

27. That last wig is cute!

The others are a little too "helmety" for me. I've always said if I lost my hair via cancer treatment or alopecia I would forego wigs and go with scarves, bandanas and hats. Since this will be temporary, I'll go that route as I can continue to wear them when my hair grows out. And my hair grows really fast, all my stylists have said it's the fastest they've ever seen.

Thanks!

[TexasBushwhacker]

18. Shave it and get a henna "crown"

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://divinehenna.com.au/pricing/&h=1024&w=821&tbnid=4vJrKlFfKqrzLM:&docid=aa7iBFhpO_XpNM&ei=B6OMVoHdPIzSmwGvopyYBA&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwjB_KKVt5TKAhUM6SYKHS8RB0MQMwhEKBkwGQ

You can also do your makeup with a bit more drama and wear some nice earrings.

[trueblue2007]

20. well .... er,,,, no.

to each her l his own.

i think it's way ugly.

[mentalsolstice]

28. Cool!

However, my hair grows so fast, I'll probably have 5 o'clock shadow by the time I go, the day after surgery, and all that beautiful henna would look like one big mess.

[TexasBushwhacker]

31. That's true

It's really for someone with alopecia or chemo hair loss. I think those buff bandanas are pretty neat. I will say if you have bangs, you could shave the rest to start over, but you would have some hair to peak out under that hat or scarf you're wearing.

I will say that a lot of women who get their heads shave because of chemo get the sides shaved first, so that even if it's only for a couple of minutes, they can take a picture with a Mohawk, just for laughs.

[KentuckyWoman]

21. Another vote for shave it all.

I had cancer a long time ago. Got advice to shave my head before I even started and didn't take it. Wished I had.

You have far more important things to worry about than styling hair. Shave the whole head. You won't regret it.

And hope it all goes much better than expected and full healing is quick.

[hedgehog]

24. See how it looks withone side shaved and the other not,

then decide whether to shave the rest.

FWIW - My hair grew back to a usable length about 4 months after chemo, so this is a temporary challenge. Don't feel bad about feeling bad over your hair; when you're sick, it's one damn thing after another sometimes. Here's hoping you come through surgery with flying colors!

[IdaBriggs]

25. Maybe have some fun with a crazy rainbow dye job...

And then do a punk thing for a few weeks while it grows back.

http://www.boredpanda.com/pastel-rainbow-hair-fashion-trend/

http://www.haircolorsideas.com/bright-hair-colors/rainbow/short-rainbow/

It might make me smile (such a rebel!) while going through medical trauma; I have always been interested in "crazy hair" but never tried it.

May you have a speedy recovery!

[mentalsolstice]

29. Thank you! nt

[jmowreader]

32. Shaving one side of your head is the Hot Edgy Style of Today

With smokey eyes and intense red lips, you can own this haircut.

[Fla Dem]

33. So many good and helpful suggestions. I have nothing to add except good wishes for

a speedy recovery and a long and healthy life.

[LynneSin]

34. Shave it and start fresh. Fuck it if people have issues with your baldness

Those people are idiots and probably the type of people who think Trump or Carson would make a great president.

BTW if you want to rock a scarf here's one for
Bernie: http://www.cafepress.com/+bernie_sanders_2016_scarf,1632690512

and Hillary: http://www.cafepress.com/+hillary_for_president_vote_democrat_scarf,1312590046

[Sanity Claws]

35. Get some nice hats, wear more makeup, and get some earrings

I understand the rationale that some people said about shaving your entire head. However, I'm sure that is a good idea. Are there hats that you could wear to one-side? I'm thinking of berets that some folks use to cover a side rather place directly in the middle of the head. If there are such hats, refrain from shaving your entire head.

Once you no longer have hair, more attention will be placed on your face. Play up your eyes or whatever you think is your best feature with flattering makeup.

Earrings will also be more noticeable without hair so get some nice ones.

Best of luck to you.

[Myrina]

36. My Mom had surgery for a Glio & then chemo.

... She tried wigs & hated them. Tried a sort of Mowhawk & hated it.
Incisions itch. Healing skin itches.
Chemo makes your hair brittle & then it falls out.

She decided to go with colorful scarves & bandannas and when she was home with no one around, let it all hang out.
And she was comfortable with it, which is all that mattered.

Best to you.