Your Opinion Please — Scars on Show - Changing Room

Kateykrunch

I just want to garner some opinion please.
I have had a double mastectomy (4 years apart) and have a full scar running across the whole of my chest. I consider the scar to be ugly (it is). I am trying to build up my fitness and have started swimming regularly (12 lengths today). The private changing cubicles are tiny, so today when I was getting dressed I discreetly turned away to put my top on BUT although it wasnt very busy the Lady nearby would have seen my flat scared chest. It really would be easier for me not to have to juggle my towel for the fleeting time it takes to dress my top half but I dont want to freak anyone out, so… My question to you please, is would this sight upset you. Opinions will colour my decision moving forward and I could try to shoehorn myself into a cubicle if I am likely to frighten the horses. Thanks to anyone who is happy to give me an opinion on this sensitive subject (I apologise if anyone is offended my my light hearted approach, but….)

Here are some flowers for you.

Hi, I have a narly scar from having a lung removed last year. Wear the scar with pride. It saved you. And no a scar wouldn't bother me one bit.

Sorry.........TOWELLING bag!

Same as Aggie 🩷💜💚

Personally. I would want to give you a hug and say well done

Yours scars are your Badge of Honour. They're testament to the trauma, pain and heartache you have been through. Wear them with pride and don't be concerned about anyone else. Any other woman, seeing your scars, can only give you a nod of approval or a smile of support. You are a brave lady, so hold your head high ... and enjoy your shopping! Whatever you buy, you deserve it.

Another vote for you and good for you improving your fitness.
I would notice but probably pretend that I hadn't and I would not be at all shocked.
Just , like many others, sorry for what you have had to endure and glad that you've got through it.
Swimming is the most wonderful exercise that you can take very gradually. Don't let anything make you give it up.

It absolutely wouldn’t upset me. When I see a woman with a mastectomy scar, I admire her for getting on with her life and not hiding herself. Please don’t feel the need to hide yourself. You are a survivor 💪

aggie

I would be sympathetic , but not upset , and I’d probably pretend I hadn’t noticed

Same here.

Absolutely no way would I be worried or upset at seeing your scar ...I probably would notice it as I am really ditsy and do not concentrate on what I should be doing...but I would be thinking...good for you girl...you wear that scar with pride. I have ta particularly horrid scary after hip surgery and on the odd occasion I have seen someone looking pityingly at it ..I just smile and say..'The shark didn't survive'!!!!!!!

Wear your scar with pride love! No wouldn’t upset me. You carry on enjoying your swimming x

madcatwoman

Yours scars are your Badge of Honour. They're testament to the trauma, pain and heartache you have been through. Wear them with pride and don't be concerned about anyone else. Any other woman, seeing your scars, can only give you a nod of approval or a smile of support. You are a brave lady, so hold your head high ... and enjoy your shopping! Whatever you buy, you deserve it.

I disagree that scars are a badge of honour.

No one has the right to judge or make comments however well meant, on my body.

I don't need the approval of other women looking at my body and claiming I was brave.

No I wasn't, I was just getting the right and necessary treatment for illness. I am very grateful every day, but brave?

No.

I think the person worrying about your scars the most is you. I had a series of operations on my chest, resulting in bilateral mastectomy and a patchwork of scars resembling a map of the London Underground. I am self conscious in situations such as yours, but I see myself as a survivor and also have a sense of pride. You are alive, who cares what others think!!

I hope it doesn't concern you enough to stop you swimming. All the folk I see at our Health Club are all shapes and sizes. I'm very conscious of my large 72 year old bosom which I absolutely hate so I pop on my bra before coming out of the shower cubicle. Could you possibly do something similar with a vest or camisole? But only if it would make you feel better. I'm sure no one would ever knowingly be unkind enough to stare or comment. Keep swimming !!

I’m a very private person so wouldn’t use a communal changing room.
HOWEVER I was always taught to “be proud of your scars” they are a part of you. x

You are alive, and that is what matters. I know some people look at my [purple] legs, and I know they are dying to ask me about how and why I have them... but unless they formulate the words, I do not say anything. People shouldn't be looking at the bodies of others, anyway. So just do what you need to do.

No it wouldn’t bother me
I would be glad to see a survivor, and have empathy with what you have been through

Wouldn't bother me either.

I probably wouldn't notice as I would be too busy getting myself dried and dressed asap to get my old baggy body covered up!

Well done building up your fitness

All the lovely comments and support from Grans. I only dip in and out and move on if replies to posts seem unhelpful or spiteful, but i’ve read all of these. Enjoy life and do let us know how you get on.

This would not upset me in any way. To be completely honest it might surprise me for a nano second to see a woman without the usual silhouette but as a person whose own Mother had a mastectomy I would know why and not think about it again. No one has a perfect body.

It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. I know someone who has her chest tattooed, good for her. However if the response on here is anything to go by you might have random women coming up and giving you a hug! 😂

I'm proud of you, you are a survivor of what you had to do. Anyone who is shocked or upset should consider this. Hope you get stronger every day. Big hugs and love ❤️

I personally wouldn’t be upset or distressed at seeing your scars. My mother had a mastectomy when I was 10 years old and she never hid her scars from me, so I would be prepared if I suffered from the same disease. I always thought of her scars as survival scars.

I think that if you feel comfortable in your skin there's no reason not to change in public regardless of scars. People don't have to watch, it's not polite to stare.

I wouldn’t be looking at someone else as I was getting changed but if I did see your scar by accident I would think it beautiful and brave. Two women close to me of an older generation kept their fungating breast cancer to themselves and had a miserable end of life. It is your badge of courage and wear it with pride even if it’s in a tiny changing cubicle.