Thread: Its gonna leave a scar...WHERE?

Ok ladies.

Talk to me about your belly/back/side scars.

On the off topic board, I posted that last week I had a non-invasive ESWL procedure for kidney stones.

In 5 weeks, I have to have another non-invasive laser procedure, because apparently, my ureter is retarded and defective...and too narrow. They're going to go in with a laser and a telescope through my bladder to make it bigger.

However.

if this does not work...we're talking about surgery on my general kidney area. Which means scars.

I don't know how big...but the doctor said there would be a scar on my side.

I'm finally getting to the weight I want to be so I don't always have to wear full dresses or body stockings when I dance, so you can imagine how nervous I am to even consider this.

Does anyone out there have a scar from a surgery like this? Do you still wear bedlah?

What would bhuz do?

Obviously, we're trying the non-invasive first...but if that doesn't work...I want some advice and consoling, I suppose...

I'm thinking make-up might help a lot. The kind that's made for this sort of thing.
I'm remembering once how I saw this woman dance in a show; she had 2 black eyes and a gash across the bridge of her nose and she had it all concealed so well, you really couldn't tell.
Rosette

It might not be my place to share this but I don't think the person would mind.

A dancer I know has a scar from kidney surgery. It was cancer. I'm almost certain it was her kidney. But in any case, it has left her with a scar on her abdomen and you know what, I don't know where it is because I don't even notice it.

When she first started to dance she wore a body stocking as she was selfconscious about it, but she only wore that stocking about three times. Now she dances in bedleh without it. I don't even NOTICE the scar to be honest. But I think maybe it is about half as long as your hand might be or a bit smaller.

Like I said, I don't even notice it. I've seen it, I've thought "oh, that is the scar" and I've forgotten where it is. That's how little it matters to an observer.

Put it this way, if it's a choice between your life and a scar, a scar is not so bad. They do fade. And chances are you will only have a tiny one.

Just another piece of kidney-related positivity: I found out a few years back that a friend of mine had been involved in a kidney transplant. I thought she meant her OWN transplant and concerned, I emailed to ask what happened. She gave her kidney to a dear, very sick friend. I'm sure they are both really proud of the scars they have. What a gift.

^Darn, I should've thought about that when I wrecked my car last winter and had a black eye/a gash on my face/some scrapes. I wasn't super self-conscious about it, but I did feel like people were looking at me (one or two even downright asked), and I admit that when I was out with my partner, I was afraid people would think he did it to me (esp. since I'm kinda small and he's kinda not; he could knock me around easily). I wish it would've occurred to me to use makeup (though I didn't want to put anything on the healing gash, but at least I could've fixed up the black eye and the more-healed scrapes).

I'm so sorry you are going through this!

I hope they are successful with the telescope method!

(((Hugs)))

This might not be my place to mention it, but PrincessNadirah has scars on her belly from some surgeries last year. I don't think anyone ever notices them because she is such a beautiful dancer. I know I don't see them. Plus there is always make-up to conceal them.

Ask for a plastic surgeon to close the incision, and be clear that you are very concerned about scarring etc. that you are a professional performer, etc. and you need the best possible outcome cosmetically.

I had a procedure done and this worked well for me and my incision healed really well with minimal impact.

I don't have that sort of scar but I do have a ton of round nickel and quarter sized scars all over my body... mostly on my chest, bust, back, and side. Had cancerous moles removed and some spots from cyst aspirations. Three of the larger ones are in places visible when I wear a bedlah (middle of my back, top of a boob, and my side). No one notices the scars. I used to apologize for the boob one because I was afraid fellow dancers would think that it was a nipple coming out! But they didn't even notice it... they had to come up close and have me point in order to notice. It's pretty raised, but it's my normal skin color so it doesn't stand out to anyone I guess. You can't see any of them in pictures either. I hope that helps you a little bit. Hope your procedure(s) go well!

I have a huge scar on the back of my leg from the sugery to repair my achilles tendon snapping. It's big, it's ugly, not just a scar but a huge red keliod as well. (and when new students take my class they look horrified.w.: until I tell them it's OK it is just a scar). Just a part of me now. I would not worry about scars, just be very happy if everything comes out Ok and you are helped by the surgery:)
Good luck, hope you are healthy and happy after this is over!!!

I personally would explain to whomever is doing the surgery that you actually show your midriff on a regular basis, and while your health comes first....you'd really like to have as little external scarring as possible. Ask if that's something s/he can do.

I doubt it'll be that bad though.

A friend of a friend (ok, I don't even know if it's true, but it's a cool story) used to draw a big bellydancing sword over a large, slightly curved scar on her abdomen, and she finally got it tattooed in place.

But I can verify that Ben Nye sells scar and tattoo concealing makeup. There are a few steps to get it right. Make sure you go in person so that you can try the samples to get the right shade for your abdomen skin! It would be a pain to put on, but maybe you could use it just while you're self-conscious and until the scar starts to fade...

My first teacher has a scar, from a skin cancer removal...it has left her appendage slightly disfigured...but no one even notices. I know I didn't until she pointed it out to me...and that she HAD been self conscious for a bit, but now it was just a part of her. I agree that asking for a cosmetic surgeon to close the incision is a great idea. Wish I had done that when my little girl needed stitches on her face...

My teacher had her appendix out before keyhole surgery was the norm, so she has a big appendectomy scar... When she's performing, you don't notice it at all. I love Roeska's thing with the sword... I HOPE it's true, that's so awesome. But yes, you can definitely get makeup specifically designed to hide scars.. I was fiddling with some samples (I don't remember the brand) about a fortnight ago, and i temporarily eliminated all the freckles (even the dark ones!) on my hand. :)

I hope everything goes well for you... Best wishes for the procedure and the after effects.

I hope your surgery goes well!

Here is the sword/scar story.

I have a small scar on my back, and I got a tattoo to cover it.

I hope the surgery goes well and you heal quickly! I have little scars on my belly from gallbladder surgery, the tattoos cover them or distract from them.

Also remember that any scars will look better a year or so after the surgery than right after. My 9year old daughter has a big scar on her back from a heart surgery (when she was 5) and now you can barely see it.

I have a 14 inch scar on my leg from a car accident, and I say wear it with pride!!!

Although I sometimes get hung up on my appearance, I know that people won't judge me for having a surgical scar, it is a fact of life for most people.

for most elective surgeries the scars end up being quite small anyways, since they're not rushing to get in there (in a manner of speaking)..

[QUOTE=auraevans;718719]Ask for a plastic surgeon to close the incision, and be clear that you are very concerned about scarring etc. that you are a professional performer, etc. and you need the best possible outcome cosmetically./QUOTE]

my brother and i both have cuts over our eyes, near the corner. Mine was from playing that game where you jump around on the furniture and can't touch the floor and falling onto the corner of the table. my brother's was from mom holding him tight when she slipped on a cake (there was a cake on the ground) and he got cut on her lapel pin.
anyway, same place but his was done by a GP and mine was sewn up by a plastic surgeon, mine is 5 times more visible, if you get close you can see where the stitches went in where his is just a line.
still make sure they know you're a performer, but maybe experience is going to influence the outcome over the dr's specialty.

Originally Posted by mlacombe

I have a 14 inch scar on my leg from a car accident, and I say wear it with pride!!!

I've got some stretch marks from pregnancy. They're not too bad, but of course I'm a little self-conscious. I try and remind myself, "Harry Potter should be proud to have such a scar, and so should I." I tell myself it's my very own lightning scar! (Ok, lightning scars...)

And about the plastic surgeon, I will second that a conscientious stitcher is better than a specialist who isn't particularly invested in his or her work... (There are bad apples in every barrel.) My brother has a very large punch-hole scar on his face from one such plastic surgeon! And he always wished he'd gone to our GP, who is very careful. So I guess just trust your gut! If you feel good about your surgeon and explained about minimizing the scar for your work, I would be very satisfied with that situation. Any doc can use facial weight supplies and tiny stitches

thanks everyone.

again, i really don't want to sound vain, because I really am more concerned with getting everything fixed. If I NEED the surgery, I'm not going to NOT get it because I don't want a scar.

Its good to hear that other people have them and people DON'T notice...

as weird and off beat as this is going to sound, I really love scars...I think they show character and life...I just don't want them to distract from my performing...and I'm one of those purists that don't personally want to have any tattoos visible when I dance.

But I appreciate all of the suggestions, and the support. :)

**hugs**

what would I do without Bhuz?

o! sunblock after your surgery, until the incision heals and fades at least. you should be wearing it anyway, but be extra sure to keep that coated.
good luck!

Thank you poohbear. i don't mind. i would post pictures but i can't get it to post them but you could always email and i'll send it to you. it has been almost a year since my surgery. so they have faded but one is still dark and you can see them. from far way the one down the middle looks like a 6 pack line or thats what i tell my self. i have four cirlce scars from where they had chemo tubes in my tummy one on the side where they took my apendix out and one long one down the middle from the diaphram to the pubic bone. i don't were anything to cover them. and now one has said anything to me personally. i do work at a couple resturants that i worked at before surgery and they wanted me to dance becuase they like my dancing. they said they did not care and since i have been back they have not said anything to me about the scars. not one patren has said anything to me. people could talk behind my back but no one has said anything to me. i would look in the mirror as i got ready to dance and think about it but when i am dancing i don't. at first i wanted fringe that would cover it but know i don't care. I am alive to dance and i will dance. if someone likes you and your dancing then that is what matters not the scars.

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

thanks everyone.

again, i really don't want to sound vain, because I really am more concerned with getting everything fixed. If I NEED the surgery, I'm not going to NOT get it because I don't want a scar.

Its good to hear that other people have them and people DON'T notice...

as weird and off beat as this is going to sound, I really love scars...I think they show character and life...I just don't want them to distract from my performing...and I'm one of those purists that don't personally want to have any tattoos visible when I dance.

But I appreciate all of the suggestions, and the support. :)

**hugs**



what would I do without Bhuz?

talking about vein my friend went with me to the Dr. last year to hear the biopsy results from my apendix surgery. the Dr said you have stage 4 cancer. i said ok then he said we will have to cut you stomach open and my eyes got big and my jaw droped. my friend likes to remind me of that.
I will be praying for you and hope all goes well!

Originally Posted by PrincessNadirah

I am alive to dance and i will dance. if someone likes you and your dancing then that is what matters not the scars.

Nadirah, you are amazing. That's all I have to say!

Originally Posted by PrincessNadirah

Thank you poohbear. i don't mind. i would post pictures but i can't get it to post them but you could always email and i'll send it to you. it has been almost a year since my surgery. so they have faded but one is still dark and you can see them. from far way the one down the middle looks like a 6 pack line or thats what i tell my self. i have four cirlce scars from where they had chemo tubes in my tummy one on the side where they took my apendix out and one long one down the middle from the diaphram to the pubic bone. i don't were anything to cover them. and now one has said anything to me personally. i do work at a couple resturants that i worked at before surgery and they wanted me to dance becuase they like my dancing. they said they did not care and since i have been back they have not said anything to me about the scars. not one patren has said anything to me. people could talk behind my back but no one has said anything to me. i would look in the mirror as i got ready to dance and think about it but when i am dancing i don't. at first i wanted fringe that would cover it but know i don't care. I am alive to dance and i will dance. if someone likes you and your dancing then that is what matters not the scars.

You are one amazing woman Princess.

PS I've noticed scars in some of the body shots for costumes sold by stunning women here on Bhuz, and I don't think it detracted from their beauty a bit. Once it heals completely maybe you could get a fabulous tattoo to disguise it.

Originally Posted by NancyAsiya

I hope the surgery goes well and you heal quickly! I have little scars on my belly from gallbladder surgery, the tattoos cover them or distract from them.

Also remember that any scars will look better a year or so after the surgery than right after. My 9year old daughter has a big scar on her back from a heart surgery (when she was 5) and now you can barely see it.

I had no idea that those were covering scars!!! Must admit that I'd only skimmed this thread before suggesting the tattoo option and had not seen your post above when I wrote it. I made the suggestion thinking "Maybe she could get a pretty cascade of flowers like Nancy . . . "

I agree with auraevans, how they close the cut makes a difference. I had surgery on my foot 6 years ago, my doctor told me he uses the type of closing technique that a plastic surgeon does. A friend had the same surgery by a different doc not long after I did. I have a pretty much non-existent scar - a fine line the same color as the rest of my skin, while hers is MUCH more noticable. I understand that everyone heals differently, but she has had other procedures (different docs) and those scars look more like mine.

I also suggest scar reducing products like Mederma, or even plain old cocoa butter with vitamin E in it.

Picasa Web Albums - 10973912004861812... - scars

here is a picture that i took 6 months ago so it has faded a bit. the 1 inch scar on the side is from the apendix is still the darkest. i had lost 20 lbs sorry my pants are haning a little low. horizontal one really low is my c-section scar from 2 years ago. no worries my costumes don't go that low. they say it takes a couple years for scars to fade. but medirma and vit E is really good.

@PrincessNadirah:
thank you so much for sharing your story and the photo with us.

And thanks everyone for the recommendations about the lotions and vitamin e. :)

I will most definitely keep everyone posted on if I end up having the surgery or not. I'm hopeful that the non-invasive one will work, mostly on the principal that i'll be back up and running within a week or two...whereas with the surgery, its at least a 3 day hospital stay, and lots more recovery time...

I just added a couple pictures of me dancing the other night to the post above.

Awesome! You can't see them at all!

so just to keep everyone updated, I'm pushing up the laser surgery to next week. I'm in agony, and don't think I can wait a full month.