Your Opinion Please — Scars on Show - Changing Room

A friend of mine had a double mastectomy and doesn't give a fig if women see the scars. She holds her head up high. She is a survivor and is showing the reality of cancer. She's beautiful inside and out, and so are you!

Our changing rooms are unisex, so if you don’t use a cubicle, you risk giving some male an eyeful!

Of course it wouldn’t offend me , I’d admire you for your obvious strength in life

I wouldn’t even notice, I am usually wrapped up in my thoughts to notice anything.

My sister had a huge surgery and the scar goes from her navel to the middle of her back, she wears a bikini on holiday and no one bats an eye. It’s usually children who ask about it and she always replies that she was attacked by a shark and the kids love it.

It wouldn’t upset me, but I know that some people are squeamish. That’s their problem not yours.

Siope

My gym/swimming pool has only two private cubicles, so most of us get dressed in the open area. In my experience (I have several very obvious/large body scars) nobody notices, or if they do, cares.

I’ve recently signed up at David Lloyd, just for the pool, but have yet to go. I hope to goodness that there are more than 2 cubicles! I really do not do communal changing rooms any more, not that I was ever happy to use them.

I did have a ‘pre’ visit but was unable to see the pool or changing areas, since it was all being renovated.

Wear your scars with pride - they are the history of your journey and part of who you are. I would absolutely never be offended to see scars on view.

Oh gosh, you know what, I hadn’t even thought about ‘it’ in the ways you have expressed, so I’m giving myself a pat on the back and will continue to keep on keeping on and just do what is easiest for me in the changing room. Thank you for your lovely, caring and kind comments. I’m hoping to get back to my 50 (pre-cancer) lengths slowly but surely, so will keep at 12 lengths until that feels ‘easy’ then add 2 more at a time (may take a while lol). I think you have given me a moral boost!! Watch this space……..

People will notice. Same way they would if you had particularly impressive bosoms! If you detect any discomfort, it won’t be because they are offended or disgusted. It will be because they have an impulse to express sympathy or solidarity and are battling with whether this would be appropriate.
Ok, there’ll be the odd person who can’t deal with anything ‘not nice’ and thinks you should just keep it covered up. But would someone with that problem be using a communal changing room?

You've been through so much - please don't give a second thought to this. Be proud of your scars. You've survived. Live your life to the fullest! ❤️

It would not offend or upset me, other than triggering the mixed emotions of feeling sorry for you that you’ve had to endure the emotional and physical pain of having to undergo the treatment but pleasure in realising that you have come out the other end and embracing life again

I wouldn’t feel offended or anything negative. More likely a warm loving wave of feeling, for your battle scars.

When our DGC, then aged 3 and 6, saw the huge scar on DD's arm - and it was much larger and more prominent then than it is now, DGD never made any comment at all, she knew about her aunt's accident and how she had been injured. The 3 year old, just looked at it and said 'What's that?', so we explained to him, and that was that.

Agreed Calendargirl
Good post.

It may frighten a child tho

I don’t think so. A child might ask why there are scars, which would require a simple explanation about operations and scars, but frightened? No.

Children are very accepting of things when explained properly.

I’ve had a double mastectomy and have large scars. Finding that the spa didn’t seem to have any individual changing rooms I surprised myself by deciding’what the hell’ and nobody batted an eyelid.

Nope.. Part of life’s tapestry

I swim in a small friendly gym where we all get to know each other - some quite friendly, some just on "hello/goodbye" terms.

When I first started I liked getting dry in the one and only "cupboard" but now I don't bother. No one is looking.

A mastectomy scar is not likely to cause any problems at our gym.

I would try changing in the communal space and see how it feels if you can. Things feel more comfortable with practice.

Most women turn towards the lockers and away from people to put bras and knickers on anyway.

Good for you to go swimming.
I hope you soon feel comfortable about it.
I wouldn't be fazed to happen upon you.

KateyKrunch my mom had a double mastectomy..She had the first breast removed when she was 73. I remember well my dad telling her he didn't marry her for her tits. I told her to wear her scar with pride as she survived. She had the second one removed when she was 86. She said great I never have to wear a bra again . My mom was big breasted.

This might make you laugh when she had the first one removed .She decided to weigh her other one on the kitchen scales to see how much weight she lost. We thought it was hilarious my late husband said why didn't you weight yourself before and after the op . Mom said what would be the fun in that.

Wear your scar with pride you have survived. And gives other women hope that they can survive to.

Never be embarrassed by it . And if anyone says anything tell them to fig off. But I doubt very much any woman would be cruel . Because no matter what age we are, we are all at risk of having breast cancer even men can and do get.breast cancer.

No it wouldn’t upset me.
I used to go to a pool where one of the members had had breast surgery and made a point of showing me her tattoo on the op- site.
I would think of you as a role model, just as I did her.

It breaks my heart that you would need to ask! Of course I wouldn't be upset, as others have said your scars are a badge of your courage and you shouldn't be worried about offending anyone. If offence is taken, that person/s isn't worth your concern.

Wouldn't upset me at all I would just be happy that you felt fit and healthy enough to swim. I have a large hysterectomy scar and when the changing rooms were being revamped had to change out in the open and just decided to go for it. Another lady standing by said "snap" as she had the same scar and we had a laugh about it. If someone is upset it is their problem not yours.

Your scars are now a part of you and your journey to get this far. Be proud. I wouldn’t mind one bit if you were changing next to me, and can’t think why anyone would be upset, get out there and live your life without giving it a second thought.

No, not at all.