Laurie, when I had my other nails taken off, there was nothing underneath. What little nail I had was very, very, thin and it just came off. It took 6 months for a decent nail to grow back in.
My nails are normally pretty thin and break/peelable. It doesn't help that when I get nervous or worried I tend to pick at my nails.
I'm hoping to get to the point that I can have just the fiberglass overnay, then maybe, possibly, just my own nails.