Embarrassment of old scars?

Either you cover them up, or you get more comfortable in your own skin. There are products like Mederma that can help minimize them, but it sounds to me like you are a major survivor of some very dificult situations. If you could see them as a badge of honor, a sign of your overcomming spirit, maybe you would see how shallow those who tease you are and know that you are stronger, and braver than most.

I can’t believe that anyone would tease you. Stand proud, flaunt your ability to survive and do the dance of joy.

I would challenge anyone who makes a disparaging remark. Just keep your voice and pitch calm and measured. Shame, shame on them.

For example; “I am really thrilled to be alive and kicking. Do you think that your remarks are
appropriate? Please don’t do this again.”

People are horrible idiots, sometimes. I’m sorry, be strong, your body has helped you, it’s been through a lot, I know it’s hard to love it (I struggle with this myself) but you deserve to love it.

I know a girl who absolutely loves scars. She shows hers off and wants to look at other people’s scars. Turn your thinking around and instead of being embarrassed by them, flaunt them. Relish them. They are a part of who you are, why you are still among us.

Scars are stories, it’s good to have them. I must agree with those who have suggested that you flaunt them. Own them, “rock” them with pride. You have nothing to be ashamed of and anyone who tries to make fun of you is silly. You can shut them up with a back-story true or not. :D I adore both stories and scars myself.

@all; Can you think of anything @ChocolateCoveredStarfish could use as an effective and educational retort to make to the folks who speak without thinking?

I think scars are a hell of a lot sexier than tattoos! Wear em with pride as you earned them! ;)

I also have quite a few surgical scars.
When an unthinking teen made a crack about a fresh scar on my neck after spinal surgery,
I looked her right in the eye and quietly said, “Yes I lived through that one”. Her mouth opened in an attempt at a retort, but nothing came out.

Scars like that show that you’re a survivor. Don’t be embarrassed. Those people who tease you are cowards. Just know that you’ve survived major hurdles in your life, and the scars you have are a testament to what you have gone through and what you have overcome. Be proud of them. I would be, if I went through what you have. You’re stronger than you think.

So. You have scars.
Thats a fact, why resist it?

It is what it is.

I was a dare devil as a young woman, rode horses, bikes, water skied, and have several big scars.

A shoulder scar from a bad horse accident that required a pin in my shoulder and a 10 inch incision from kidney surgery.
Numerous smaller ones, and each has a great story behind them.
Try to let go of your self consciousness, your scaras are a part of you, and they make you more interesting.

I have never had any self consciousness about my scars and if you’re worried about men and sexuality…forget it…they won’t notice and if they do, it opens up some great story telling. :-D

I had a friend that had targets tattooed around his knife and bullet scars. Needless to say we call him Bullseye now.

Your friends, family and colleagues will accept your scars, everyone else it doesn’t matter if they do or not.

Wear what you like! If people stare, who cares because you are up and running. So many people without scars are afraid to wear bikinis, screw em. For people rude enough to make hurtful comments to you or around you, roll it off, say something like “yeah, pretty rough huh? Life is great though, really is…”

@gailcalled, how about “What do you think it would take to leave a mark like that?”

Don’t wait ‘til you’re 40 or 50 to not give a rat’s ass about what others think… it’s a waste of a good 20, 30 years of worry. What everyone says- wear them with pride knowing that you are a survivor and have stories to tell.

Them: “What’s that scar on your stomach? Weird looking.”
You in an excited voice: “Oh yeah, that’s my coolest scar to date! It’s from my nephrectomy. Bet you don’t even know what that is. I have more. Want to see?”
It’s all in the tone and your demeanor. Your excitement will be contagious and they will have to smile at your enthusiasum.

@gailcalled—“Stand proud, flaunt your ability to survive and do the dance of joy.”

Exactly! What a nice way to put it!:))

@Jeruba: Perfect but for the conditional. I would say, “What do you think it takes to leave a mark like that?”

You could always just answer ‘I won, you should see what the other guy/gal looks like.’

Those scars are proof that you’ve handled far bigger shit than the idiots who would tease you can probably even imagine. I hope someday your pride in that can overcome your embarrassment.

You would know @Mariah . You have dealt with a lot of health issues too.