Question:
I'm 21 and during my teenage years, I cut myself a lot.
Now I have lots of scars from cutting and burns. I am in therapy. My question is, how can I cover them up for surgery. I know that you aren't supposed to wear make-up and stuff but I am really embarrassed by my scars. They are mostly around my lower leg. I don't want to answer any questions from surgeons or nurses. And I don't want to be deemed "not mentally fit" to have surgery. I've thought about Dermablend. Also, what about a henna tattoo? That's not make-up and I'm pretty sure that would cover them up. Thanks for your answers! — Misty C. (posted on February 19, 2003)
February 18, 2003
I don't think you need to worry about this too much. Many people have
scars of various types and they aren't significant to anyone by the time
you make it to the OR table. If anyone asks, I do think I would be fairly
honest without telling a lot. "Those are from some cuts and burns
that happened several years ago." No one has to know you made them;
they could have happened as the result of trauma. Stay in therapy, it
seems you are doing well and have come a long way to get to WLS. Best of
luck!
— koogy
February 18, 2003
Sorry dear- I still think that 'Honesty is the best policy'. Be honest, I
think that is the only way to go about it. Also some people need clearance
from a pychologist so it may come out anyways! Lying is just to time
consuming and hard on a person, let alone morally wrong. If you are
emotionally stable now than I think you do not have to worry about it.
Remember everyone is different and a person should net be judged from past
mistakes. Keep you head held high. Good Luck.
— Jan S.
February 18, 2003
I agree with the previous poster. I am assuming your mental health doctor
(psychologist/psychiatrist) is going to do your psych eval for surgery.
They are in the best position because they have been treating you and know
the whole story. If they give you the okay then you have nothing to
explain to anyone, just brush it off like the other poster said. I would
not gamble a tatoo before surgery as it would be my luck I would get an
infection and it would delay surgery. Wait until after you are done and
have lost a bunch of weight and then reward yourself by putting your weight
issues and cutting issues behind you by covering them up. Maybe some skin
abrasion process would lighten them a lot. You need to focus on that this
is something in your past and you have overcome it and are better each day.
Keep up your chin and keep working hard.
Chris
— zoedogcbr
February 19, 2003
I wouldn't worry to much about your scares, if they are mostly on your
lower legs. When I got to the pre-op room to change from my clothes to a
gown, they gave me a pair of Ted-Knee-High-Hose for surgery. They are used
for circulation and are not see through. I had them on most of my stay. I
also agree that honesty is a good thing. It may be very feeling for you to
let your secert go for awhile. And remeber that you are going to be in a
hospital and the staff is not aloud to talk about your medical histroy
outside of your care and within the need to know to other medical staff.
This is not a need to know thing and I'm sure that they have delt with
other patients that have had cutting issues. God bless you and your new
journey.
— Tisha A.
February 19, 2003
Misty, I don't really think that what you're looking for is someone to
pass moral judgement on you about what you choose to tell the O.R. staff,
and that's not what I would give you anyway. It's no human's place to tell
another what is or isn't moral. I would maybe call the staff at your
surgeon's office and ask them if henna would make any difference, if that's
the way you want to go. I don't see how it could as long as it's not near
the point of incision. It's not like it's permanent. Also, I thought you
may want to ask your therapist about how to reply to or avoid any questions
from medical personnel about your scars. I'm proud of you for having faced
this issue and your courage in bringing it up here. You keep up the good
work and have a blessed journey. Becky
— Becky K.
February 19, 2003
Hi there, 1 1/2 weeks post op... I used to do a lot of cutting and
burning in college, so I have my share of scars too. Also, I have scars
just from life--was a pizza cook for a year, plus just a clumsy person. I
was honest in my psych eval about the cutting but because it's not a part
of my life now, I was fine. I also see a therapist outside of my psych
eval and had to get her sign off too, but everything was fine. As for past
scars, the doctors/nurses didn't even ask or care. They are performing
surgery and that is their focus. Not that they don't see the scars, but
it's not an issue to them, I would imagine. But that was just my
experience.
— Janet S.
February 19, 2003
I did the same in my early teen years, I'm now 23. Jeez, I didn't realize
it was so common from the early posts, too. It's so sad. But i'm better,
and hope you are as well. Anyway, although I usually always agree with
"honesty is the best policy" in most cases, I do not in this
case. I know I am healthy and stable now, but I know some would pas
judgement just b/c of my past. I'd love to think everyone is understanding,
but reality is not everyone is. And I'm glad I didn't say anything during
my psych evaluation. That lady was rude and so uncompassionate (she's been
reported). I believe if anything had been said about that, she wouldn't
have given the "ok" for surgery. And she wasn't there to give
therapy or anything; i showed her how much I knew about the surgery and
that I was capable of handling myself emotionally, and that's all she
needed. I have scars all over my arms and legs, some are big, some are
small. No one said a thing to me, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I
use mederma for my large open incision from an ulcer surgery, and that
helps a little. But it says it won't work AS well for older scars, so you
can try that, it's alittle expensive though! But like the previous post, we
have scars from everyday life, too, so maybe you're just more clumsy than
the rest of us! :) goodluck to you.
— Lezlie Y.
February 19, 2003
I wouldn't go with the henna tattoo, just in case the ink rubs off. But
they aren't suppose to, so what do I know? I'd leave it out unless you feel
like you're holding back. If it isn't a current issue, then who cares.
Well, you care & your family cares, but you know what I mean. If you
want to talk to your surgeon, then do it. If you want keep it on the DL,
don't worry about it. I'm with the previous poster re talking to your
therapist about it. Ask their opinion, gosh I hope they aren't the kind
that keep there mouth shut & say, "well, what do YOU think".
Course, ultimately it's up to you darlin! Good luck & sending you hugs!
Congrats on your journey!
— LionGirl2k
February 19, 2003
Thank you everyone!! It is in my past but I have to fight it everyday.
Self-injury is a very common practice. I have been using this silicone gel
stuff and they seem to be fading. So maybe it won't even be an issue!!
Thanks again everyone, it means a lot to me that there are people that care
and are nonjudgemental!!
— Misty C.
February 20, 2003
Being a surgical/pre-op nurse who does WLS, I would advise against hiding
it. At this point you've probably been through a psychological eval, so if
he/she finds you mentally fit, then that should be fine. If you try and
purposely hide it and it is noticed, then your surgeon may be worried that
if you tried hiding that, then what else might you be possibly hiding?
Mention it at your pre-admission testing so that it is up front and open.
If it is in your psychological eval, then I wouldn't mention it, because
your surgeon should/would have reviewed this;....but again, please don't
intentionally try and hide it. Good luck to you!
— Lynette B.
February 22, 2003
Misty, I totally agree with Susan, the first response, in having a generic
answer that'll give them the idea that its in the past and you aren't
interested in discussing it. I had emergency surgery in December right
before Christmas. I was at a small local hospital if that matters, but
they were VERY interested in my scarring. They wanted to know about my
tummy tuck scar that goes all the way around, about who did it and where,
wanted a LOT of details. And that was from last spring and had nothing to
do with the surgery. They were just curious and I told them openly about
having to go to MX for it. My situation isn't the same as yours but some
people are very judging about the fact that I went out of the US for major
surgery. Anyhow, I'd be prepared for an answer like the first response
suggested, especially if you aren't comfortable talking about it with every
nursing aid and nurse in the hospital. Good luck!!
— Shelly S.
February 22, 2003
Theonly point here is what is best for your. You say you are fighting this
daily, so it is a major part of your life which surgery will not change.
If your therapist feels that you will not use the surgery to cause more
damage and the Therapist (licensed of course) signs off on this, then go
for it. Most hopital professionals will not ask those questions. However,
if you have any recent not yet healed scars, I am not sure you are ready
for this surgery. As you have read, most of the cutters who responded,
strongly feel they have the impulses under control. If you feel you are
there you may be ready. For me surgery physically and mentally was fairly
easy. But, and that is a big BUT, I have years of therapy under my belt
for my issues. I apologise ahead of time if I am not being clear here.
But please know I am not judging you because I do not believe these
illnesses are moral issues. I only want good mental and physical health
for you and me.
— faybay
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