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Scars …
Im not really talking about the emotional ones that we may carry, but instead I’m talking about the physical ones. In particular surgical scars. I saw Paige talking about surgical scars on her Instagram stories and how she was finally feeling confident with her body and her scars. I thought I’d join in the discussion, chat about my scars and how I feel about them.
*Pictures of my main scar included right at the end, not too gruesome but they show the progression from 2 weeks to 6 months. (I wont be offended if you click away now)*
If you’ve been around these parts long enough you will know that earlier this year I had surgery and not a little one at that. I had a Left Lobe Liver Resection.
I now have 3 scars on my abdomen, one just under either side of my ribs around 2cm long and the other is slightly larger and goes from inside my belly button down and is around 2-3 inch long.
These scars are part of me.
They tell a story.
One of strength.
When you google liver resection it brings up all sorts of scary facts, figures and images. The majority of these throw the word cancer in there, you know just for shits and giggles.
I didn’t have cancer, I had a Focal Nodule Hyperplayisa – FNH for short. A benign tumour on the left lobe of my liver.
I was lucky, my liver resection surgery went very well and they managed to complete it keyhole or Laparoscopically for those that want the technical term. Before I went into surgery though I was warned that I they may have to convert to open surgery which would have left me with a 8-10 inch scar.
Now not knowing what you’ll wake up with is a scary prospect but one that I was prepared for, it was always 50/50 to which set of scars I’d be left with.
You never know how you are going to feel about your scars until they’re there. Just looking at you back in the mirror. The scars will never quiet look like normal skin. They will change over time. They may start off raised and pink, fading to a paler colour. They may heal leaving bumps and ridges in your skin. Or they may heal beautifully smooth and in a few years may almost disappear.
They are as unique as you are.
I’m lucky as I never really had any issues with my scars, from the day I saw them I was happy. I am not sure if it’s because I was expecting the worst but they’re ok.
I am ok.
The scars don’t leave me hiding behind a full swim suit, I’ll happily put on a bikini, I am body confident when it comes to the scarring.
*It is also very difficult to take a picture of your own belly button upside down
This scar ranges from almost 6 month old on the left to around 2 weeks fresh on the right. The swelling and bruising went down pretty quickly and it has become flatter and smoother as time has gone by. I’ll more than likely do another update in a few more months to show how things are healing.
What I am trying to say here is that you shouldn’t hid behind your scars, or let them control you. Embrace them. They are you.
So brave of you to share your story – really inspiring. I love that you’ve embraced your scars and you’re stronger for that xx
Thank you lovely, I feel that it is important to share the stories that often get passed by and not spoken about. xx
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