Your Opinion Please — Scars on Show - Changing Room

Mmmm... I had a mastectomy several years ago and so I have one boob and one ugly scar.

I love swimming and always find a private cubicle not because I'm ashamed or self- conscious but because I don't want to be seen as being defined by my body. It's a fiddly process getting my bra back on anyway.

Some of the remarks here have reminded me that others see me in a different way to how I see myself, and so I avoid this kind of being defined by my brush with cancer as much as possible.

Maybe I'm odd I don't know but privacy is privacy. I wouldn't go swimming anywhere this wasn't an option.

I go to a pool which just has communal changing rooms and there's lady who comes to the same session as I do and she has a mastectomy scar, like yours I imagine.
Yes it is ugly and yes it's disfiguring, but she doesn't let it worry her and so it doesn't worry the rest of us either. I have to say I feel great admiration for her for her courage and determination not to let the Big C get the better of her.
Be proud of your scar.

Definitly wouldn’t bother me apart from thinking of the pain and worry you had been through
Wear your scar with pride You’re alive to go swimming that’s something to be so happy about
Good luck for the future

No, it wouldn’t bother me, and it shouldn’t bother anyone else either. Shame on them if it does.

I think it’s so good that nowadays we can attend swimming, aquacise and similar activities with scars, amputated limbs, in fact any disfigurements that years ago we just wouldn’t have dared be seen with.

I admire you.

It wouldn’t bother me to see you like that. But I would be in the small cubicle getting changed anyway, would not be comfortable for anyone else to see me without clothes with or without scars.

Agree with everyone else - I wouldn't be looking at anyone changing after swimming, but if I did see your scar, honestly, I would be just so impressed that you were not hiding away.
My darling son has an 'impressive' scar on his head following surgery for a brain tumour, he doesn't make any attempt at all to hide it, why would he, it's just part of him now.
Well done on your fitness drive and good luck going forwards

It wouldn’t bother me at all

I do understand though as I’m self conscious about my skin.

We all have things about us that we think are ugly and we assume that other people must be aware of them.

In fact most people are too taken up with themselves and what they are doing to take much notice of other people. And if they do notice they may well be thinking 'oh poor lady' or 'gosh my scars aren't that bad/are much worse'.

Be brave and do what you need to do. After the first few times you probably won't think about it.

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.

Not in the slightest. Go for it. Glad you had successful treatment.

It wouldn't bother me.
The first time I saw a mastectomy scar up close, I was struck by how neat it was.

It broke my heart that the lady I was helping to have a wash had spent her life covering it up.

Please don't do that.

eddiecat78

Wouldn't upset me in the slightest. I would admire you for not hiding away

I agree, that's how I would feel too. Please don't let it stop you going swimming.

No it wouldn’t upset me if I saw it. But to be honest as close as I would be to you I wouldn’t be looking at you, just aware that you are near. Hope that makes sense. Enjoy your swimming 🏊‍♀️

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….)

No.

If I noticed at all, I'd be happy you were successfully treated.

Not at all Katey

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

go for it! I had a double reduction mammaplasty way back- so although I still had boobs the post op scarring was pretty massive. I was on holiday in Ibiza where in those days topless was the way to go - I braved it (careful with the sun screen!) and a lovely woman came up to me to say thank you as she had not had the courage to do the same thing - it was quite an emotional conversation - she made my day.

Wouldn't upset me in the slightest. I would admire you for not hiding away

Of course it would not upset me. Anyone who would be upset by your scars is not worthy of your consideration.