In preparation for the chemo phase I’ve decided to look for a wig now … but I have a HUGE head.
No shop hats have ever fitted me - the only thing that fitted was a motorbike helmet 25 years ago - think men must have bigger heads!
Even swimming caps don’t fit me - if I manage to pull then on then when I sneeze or something they start to work their way off my head. Can you imagine having a coffee and the wig starts creaking its way up until it looks like I’ve got a squirrel parked on top!
If anyone has any ideas I would be eternally grateful …
FizBix
FizBix
If it is any help, I will give you my experience of losing my hair. Like you, I rushed to get a wig - that I ended up wearing twice. I spent the five months or so that I was lacking hair wearing scarves, bandanas and buffs.
When I wore my wig, I just felt so self conscious, more than being in scarves. So don’t rush if it causes you stress. Go with the alternatives.
Have to say I agree wholeheartedly with Sharon. I am the compete opposite of you - have a tiny head - had to have the smallest wig they do. When I first tried it on (still with hair!) I thought it felt strange - but was assured it would feel better when I had no hair. Well - now I have no hair - and it doesn’t feel any better. I just don’t feel confident wearing it, If I shrug my shoulders or sneeze it creeps up the back of my head and I have to keep adjusting it.
I have gone for beanies and buffs - the buffs being my favourites (especially the polar fleece ones in this weather!).
I am starting chemo next week and am going to Leeds wig shopping on Monday. I look horrendous in scarves, beanies, hats etc (comical, to be honest).
I will ask about different sizes and let you know.
I got a wig and do wear it sometimes, mainly on special occasions. I thought I would wear it all the time, but no. (edited by Moderator) They have great turbans which fit nice and snug, are warm, and don’t cause angst that they may fall off. You can also get a dinky little fringe to go under them that velcros on, leaving some “hair” peeping out. That way it looks more like a fashion statement than a desperate attempt to cover your bald head!
I am one of the little head brigade! Just to let you know wigs ARE adjustable. They have a sort of bra strap on the inside, either side, which can be tightened or loosened as required.
I always wear a headband or narrow scarf tied headband style around my wig. It looks less wiggy that way, and make it feel more secure.
I am one of the small head brigade too. The wigs I tried on were mostly too large and even with the adjusters tightened up they still swamped my head. The hairline was around my eyebrows and I looked like a Neandothol Man.
You could try asking for the largest size wigs they do, otherwise try scarves as ladies on here have recommended. I’m happy with my current wig, even though I’ve finished chemo and no longer need to wear it really, I still put it on when I go out as my own hair hasn’t yet thickened up. If you do end up buying a wig make sure you’re really happy with it as you’ll be wearing it for quite a while. If you’re not happy with the fit then go for scarves.
Definitely food for thought - especially having bits of hair sticking out
Scarves won’t do it for me as even with hair I look like Mother Superior out of the sound of music - think it’s because my bonce is so big!!! Also have a short neck and broad shoulders so i can look a bit macho without something a bit fluffy
Dyzee - if you could let me have the phone no or something if you find anything that would be fab … thanks a lot
At least I’m feeling a bit less worried about it all now
if anyone else has any ideas then please keep them coming
Just to say I didn’t think I’d wear a wig much, but because of my 9-yr-old daughter’s sensibilities, I ended up wearing it to the school run twice a day, so I soon got so used to it that I can shove it on without a mirror in seconds. I wear a scarf if I’m on hols, in windy places or gardening etc. and wore it a bit at first when out and about, but I feel much more incognito with the wig on as nobody notices. When I wear a scarf i feel like everybody knows i have cancer, and it makes me feel self-conscious after a bit. It takes energy to hold your head up high in a scarf, but in a wig, I go unnoticed, which i like on days when I’m feeling weedy or poorly.
The vital thing is to take time to find a wig you really like, then take some time to get used to it. I used to get friends to come round before I went out the first few times and check it looked OK/walk out the door with me. You very soon get used to shoving it on.
I go to a swimming session that uses a communal changing room. I wear a swimhat. I’ve been changing from wig-to-hat and back again for several months and nobody’s noticed! I just pick a moment when nobody’s looking.(it’s not v busy)
I once washed it and put it over a wig stand a friend lent me (which it turned out was bigger than my head). The wig stretched and felt a bit baggy until I washed it again. Is this an option for you ladies struggling to find one big enough?
Also I’ll just mention: if you live near London, Harrods have a brilliant wig place in their ‘Urban Retreat’ and the wigs are the same price as everywhere else. Cheaper sometimes. There are lots to try on and the lady is an experienced hairdresser and helped me choose a fantastic style. I’ve had so many compliments.
I wish you luck in your quest.
Jacquie
Hi stagewrite - i suspect you did nothing wrong - if it had the name of the recipient beside it when you look at it here then it was a private communication between you and the recipient. (usually beside our forum name in blue is just the time - like xx minutes ago. I notice that the post by dilys has had the helpful website removed (yet again…sigh!). If you try doing a search on buffs, bandanas or turbans or even just www you will probably discover the link somewhere here on the forums. Remember to be signed in when you do it - cos that will bring up older posts as well.
I got my wig from a very good shop in Sandhurst where they had a huge selection of styles, sizes etc. Might be worth giving them a ring and see if they do xlarge sizes? They were very helpful on the phone when I first called for information. (Type in ‘wigs in Sandhurst’ and it should come up).