Surgical scars

[Guest]

surgical scars

i was just pondering.. how does everyone feel about their surgical scars? i used to do hospital visiting, counselling patients pre- and post- op, and i was always amazed that so many people put the dislike of having a scar so high on their list of fears..

to me, its not a problem. i have a zip-like scar running from my pubic bone to mid-rib area, and i have two belly buttons now but its all faded to silvery/white and doesnt worry me in the least. i also have little white scars on my neck and chest from where i had a feedtube sewn into my jugular - but again, i dont mind these. they're pretty unnoticeable now, but even when they were red, i didnt mind them being seen - they were proof of my surviving, and in a way reminded me to be thankful.

 

[soupdragon69]

Being in the job I am in we have a group called the "Zipper club". They see it as we unzip them to make them better from a cardiac surgery perspective. So scars are seen as a pride thing and they support each other for having come through it and those that are waiting for surgery too.

On a personal note. I had facial surgery about 10yrs ago and thankfully the scars are more internal - inside my nose for instance. On the whole though it doesnt bother me where scars are or how long. I think for some folk though its about the appearance of it. Some surgeons arent as good at their needle work as others put it that way!

 

[Guest]

thats very true jan, one surgeon i know of has the nickname "the butcher" - thankfully he's never been anywhere near me lol

i chuckled when i read about the Zipper Club

 

[Kev]

you know, the minds a funny thing... and concerns over personal appearance are not gender specific... frinstance, I've a number of old scars.. from barfights, and construction accidents.. been stabbed a couple of times, even shot once, and I've no problem with any of them.. I'm not ashamed of them, neither do I do like some folks are drag them out in public and show them off like trophies. Yet, I don't feel comfortable about the scars from my surgeries. I dunno why for sure... It may be that they're a badge of my illness... and that I see it as a sign of weakness..., poor health.., an incurable disease. Maybe??

It's odd, tho. frinstance.., as I aged, I had absolutely no problem with my hair going grey... was hoping that it would go just where I wanted it to.. temples, sideburns, etc.. It didn't. I am now what they call salt N pepper.. the grey in my hair is scattered throughout... it's a mixed blessing of sorts, I guess. My hair looks younger than I do..., but the scattering of grey proves I don't dye it or re-touch it. so, overall, I'm OK with my grey hair... on my head N beard that is... for some peculiar reason ALL my own (and I haven't figured it out.. 'pride' or 'male vanity'.. just plain crazy maybe).. when my chest hair started turning grey it really bothered me... Go figure. so, between my surgery scars and my grey chest hair, going to the beach for a swim aint' the pleasure trip it used to be.

 

[SumCiA]

Kev, did you grow up in the 19th century east end of London? lol......Barfights, stab wounds, gun shot wounds!!! Looks like you've led a interesting life. You must have some great stories to tell.

My wound doesn't look like it's healing the way it should. I suspect the scar is going to be very interesting when it heals. I might have to elaborate as to how it occurred, may borrow one of your stabbing stories.

 

[Kev]

no, I grew up in rural settings and small, coal mining towns. And worked (mostly due to my physical stature N boxing background) in taverns/pubs catering mostly to miners, steelworkers, longshoremen and fishermen. Need I say any more on it?

Well, not exactly 19th century... but one of my work 'mates' as a bouncer was an honest to God 'blacksmith'... And one of my stabbings included one I got when I moved into the more tranquil profession of cab driver.. as I worked my way thru college..

 

[Digits]

those are my scars...they never healed right, if you stretch my stomach, its all purple skin and thin, with fistulas looking like belly buttons. i guess i found a "butcher" lol. but theres an ostomy scar and a G tube scar.

i love my scars, but only privately. i just recently started letting my fiancee voice how much he loves them, and letting him look at them closely and what not.

 

[joshuahoye]

scars

after my first 2 surgerys i could live with my scars, but after my emergency surgery i hate what my stomach looks like.. My scar is 4-5 inches wide and 7-8 inches long. My belly button is setoff to the right by 2inches. even if i didnt have a colostomy bag i wouldnt take my shirt off cause of the way the scars look..

 

[elp888]

i like my scar...

even though it's not done very nicely (i used to have a very cute belly button). after 13 years it's become a part of me. Never felt weird about wearing a bikini... it looks interesting if anything.
In 6 weeks i'm having surgery again and i found myself worrying about my scar, almost sad that it will be cut open again. wonder what it'll look like this time after i wake up?