Your Opinion Please — Scars on Show - Changing Room

As a doctor's daughter I have known since early childhood that it is rude to stare at people's scars, burns etc. and even ruder to make a show of NOT looking.

No woman in any changing room I have ever used felt she needed to hide a mastectomy scar, or the scar left by a caesarian section or a hysterectomy, any more than she would bother to hide the fact that she had had her appendx out!

On one occasion a pretty young girl of nineteen or so, hopped around stark naked in the shower room of the public baths on her one remaining leg. The other had been amputated at mid-thigh level. She was totally unselfconcious about it, which made it easy for the rest of us to treat the fact that she was competently moving around a wet floor on one leg only as something perfectly natural.

I insist you change in the communal/more comfortable changing room! No reason at all to hide or to get dressed in that cramped cubicle! I think it's not weird for people to have a reaction, sort of, but that doesn't mean they have a problem with seeing your scar. I know I might "startle" just a bit if I saw it for the first time, I'm rather jumpy sometimes, but that's all on me 😅

It wouldn't bother me at all, you're a very brave lady, cancer, surgery and treatment you have been through.
Just get changed and don't worry about other people. If it bothers you though, ask if you can use a bigger changing room. Take care x

Wouldn't upset me, tbh I'm unlikely to notice, trying to get underwear on over damp skin, self-concious, etc I'd just hope you weren't looking at my cellulite etc

It certainly would not upset or offend me. To my mind, people should be proud of their "battle scars". They are proof of surviving difficult times.

However, you must do what you feel comfortable with, and people should have the right to privacy if that is what they want.

Wear it with pride. You’re a survivor! It wouldn’t bother me in the least.

It wouldn't worry me at all. X

I've never seen a person with such a scar so I might be a tad "surprised" for about three seconds, but that's down to me, not you. I've just been through a year of cancer treatment (not yet had the final results and my only scars are internal) but I'll be proud of having survived and being able to get on with my life.

Go for it Katey ! be brave and bold . Those who can't hack it are not worth worrying about. It would not disturb me at all. Good luck and keep swimming.💐

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I would feel glad that you are now well and enjoying swimming and getting fit again.
I can quite understand you might feel a bit self conscious and if there is no cubicle available I think a cover up towel is an excellent idea. Happy swimming!

No,absolutely not.we’re all different shapes and sizes,some of us have scars and have got through it.well done you!

Absolutely not! Just go for it! You have earned it. From a leukaemia patient!. X

Never try to hide any scar. It shows you are stronger than whatever tried to hurt. you
Remember you are a survivor
From the proud owner of the scars as a result of a dissected aorta and two new hips

There is absolutely NO reason for anyone to be upset if they see your scar. It's you who has the right to be upset if they react badly. I'm so glad for you that you have survived and for goodness sake put yourself first - you deserve it!

I wear the massive scar that runs from my breastbone to below my belly button with pride. I had a nasty tumour removed from my liver in 2000 the scar is a keloid scar due very poor healing post op. It's really evident even a quarter of a century later, but that scar enabled me to raise my 3 very young children to adult hood.
It used to cause questions from children at the pool especially when I wore a bikini one asked me if I had been bitten by a shark!
But my children used to trace it with their fingers when young they were never bothered by it and I just thank God for the skill of the surgeon that day, the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.
Our scars all tell the tale of our life.
I'm pleased you are well enough to go swimming and wish you the best of health going forward but I genuinely believe no one would mind seeing it, because there but for the grace of whoever go we all.

It wouldn't bother me at all, in fact I salute you, but also I think allowing yourself to be seen is a great way to raise awareness in a quiet way. I think it would be good for children and young girls to see too as it just gives a positive body image.
I hope that doesn't sound patronising, it's not meant to, it's just meant to say I think you are doing exactly the right thing and what others think or don't think is their problem not yours.

It certainly wouldn't bother me either. I had a friend with only one leg when I was at school and it didn't bother any of us either. It's the person her/him self - not the scars - that matters. Do whatever you want to do KateyKrunch - go for it

Thanks again everyone for your input, all very positive opinions, I will certainly feel more comfortable and relaxed about the changing room experience going forward. Had a busy week so not been swimming yet this week! All these lovely comments mean a lot to me, thank you.

I would think you were strong and brave, which you are.

Not at all, especially as it's all ladies in there and most would know what the scars were from!
We all have scars, some worse than others, but they're part of us!