Thanks guys! I took both of your advice and it seems to be helping. I also went to a different salon and had them give me a cut that would be more flattering for the perm since I'm pretty much stuck with it for at least a few months. I can honestly say I no longer want to cry every time I look in the mirror. I'm going to continue the conditioning treatments and hopefully in addition to loosening the curl, it'll repair the damage to my hair. Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks again for the great ideas!!!!!!!!!!! Jessica

Jessica . Go today and get you a tub of cholestoral treatment . You can find it at Walmart . It is in a little round tub . not real little . but any hoo.. slather this on and leave it there . It is a conditioner and it will help to loosen some of the curl . Do not wait . I used to have really long hair and when I would get a spiral perm and it was too tight that is what I did . I too used to be a stylist and that is would I would reccomend to those that thought the curl was too tight . If you can not find the cholestoral ..get some hair conditioner .. Pantene .. anything .. but I swear the cholestoral will work . Leave it on for as long as you can stand it .. keep doing it every night until it loosens up . I am so sorry .. it will grow out .. sweety .. Let me know how it turns out . Hugs, Nat

I've been in a funk for a while now and thought I needed a change. I have straight hair and so I thought it would be fun with my skinny face to go curly. I was all excited yesterday morning as I was getting a 'loose perm'. This excitement quickly turned to horror when the rods came out and I looked like a POODLE! I'm not kidding. The frizz is out of control, there are very tiny curls, and once it dries - its get about a foot wide! I don't know what to do.... I called the salon this morning and they said all I can do is wait it out because if I have it chemically taken out, my hair could and most likely would be seriously damaged and would start falling out (again). I bought some frizz-ease but it hasn't worked so far. I just tried hot rollers and that got my hair HUGE! I finally gave up and threw it in a pony tail. This is the best its looked since I got home and that isn't saying much. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with a bad perm? I can't go to work looking like this tomorrow. I don't even want to leave the house with this monstrosity on my head. Its bad enough I've been feeling so down about my weight loss slowing down to a stop but now I have this to deal with. Help me please!!! Horrifically yours, Jessica

THERE IS A WINDOW??? I didn't know that?! What happens after 18 months? We cannot lose anymore? I still want to lose another 37#'s - does that mean I need to do it in 2 months? I'm 16 months out now. Jessica

Natalie, Hang in there. I wish a had a solution for you..I also had surgery in May around the same time as you. Has your surgeon had any suggestion? Is there a dietician you can talk to? I LOVE your posts and hearing from you. Here's hoping you're feeling better soon. Debbie R. -103 lbs. 1 year out