[lmirous]

When I was in my twenties I was very suicidal and I slashed my arms very bad. I'm now thirthy eight and I can't believe what I did. The scars are bad. My my mom doesn't want to go out with me in short sleeve tops. She would like me to have tatoos done. Every time I get my blood taken they ask me about my scars. I tell them that I had a car accident, but I know that they know the truth. I went as far to see a plastic surgeon but he could't do anything. Does anyone else have this experience.

[kaliope]

I kept my cutting to one arm, trying to be conscious of stuff like this. when I go for blood draws and such I always insist on using my unscarred arm. there have been times they have insisted on using my other arm and asked what happened. I don't make up stories since I know they will know and don't want them thinking I am a liar. I just say...life hasn't always been so good....I have thought of tattoos as well but then that would cover up my whole forearm and I just don't like such obvious tattoos. but maybe it is something to think about, at least for the biggest of the scars.

Yes. I have thousands of scars all over my body. I hate that I do this and it is embarrassing and I feel ashamed. I have thought about tattoos, but my husband would freak out.

[The_little_didgee]

I tried to take my life by cutting up my arms when I was 20. I'm 36 and really regret it. My doctor referred me to a cosmetic surgeon who wasn't willing to help me. After that I went to a dermatologist who gave me injections to flatten out some of the scars. Now, I'm thinking of getting some tattoos to cover it up.

Walking around with these scars bother me. I don't want to remember that terrible time in my life and that I learned about this method from the hospital. I used to feel beautiful, now I feel disfigured. I don't wear short sleeves in public and keep my scars out of my mother's sight, because they bother her. Sometimes medical professionals will ask about them and will often assume I'm a self-injurer, which I am not.

I'm not dying with these scars on me.

[Frankbtl]

Hi Imirous, I can completely understand if you feel self-conscious about your scars, but to have made it through such a hard time and to have "come out the other side", you know I'd say you should be SO proud of how far you've come.....that is awesome.......and if you have scars........well they're all part of that.
I mean if you don't want other people to see them/it's private/it's none of their business that's fine, just don't let "embarrassment/shame" in and overshadow the clear evidence of how far you've come!!! You deserve full credit for that!!!!

And don't let anyone "talk you into" having tattoo's, hey??
They should be something you do for you because you want to, not to make anyone else feel more comfortable looking at you. They don't know the whole story, right?? Only you do!!
Then maybe your mom feels uncomfortable with the reminder of how much you hurt, the feelings which must have led to the scars, the way you hurt yourself........it might not be at all that she's ashamed of them......but more that she cares so much??? I don't know????
Still.............you try not to be "embarrassed/ashamed" of them, hey?? If you want tattoo's fine, if you don't fine, if you want to "hide" them or not fine, just don't forget to hold onto that pride, reminder of just how far you've come!!!





Alison

[lmirous]

Originally Posted by Frankbtl

Hi Imirous, I can completely understand if you feel self-conscious about your scars, but to have made it through such a hard time and to have "come out the other side", you know I'd say you should be SO proud of how far you've come.....that is awesome.......and if you have scars........well they're all part of that.
I mean if you don't want other people to see them/it's private/it's none of their business that's fine, just don't let "embarrassment/shame" in and overshadow the clear evidence of how far you've come!!! You deserve full credit for that!!!!

And don't let anyone "talk you into" having tattoo's, hey??
They should be something you do for you because you want to, not to make anyone else feel more comfortable looking at you. They don't know the whole story, right?? Only you do!!
Then maybe your mom feels uncomfortable with the reminder of how much you hurt, the feelings which must have led to the scars, the way you hurt yourself........it might not be at all that she's ashamed of them......but more that she cares so much??? I don't know????
Still.............you try not to be "embarrassed/ashamed" of them, hey?? If you want tattoo's fine, if you don't fine, if you want to "hide" them or not fine, just don't forget to hold onto that pride, reminder of just how far you've come!!!





Alison

Thank you for making me feel so much better. I am just trying to get on with my life. I can deal with things a lot better now than when I was twenty.

[ifst5]

Firstly i would seek a second opinion - i highly doubt that absolutely nothing can be done whatsoever about the scars, even if the focus is more on reducing their appearance or helping you to cover them more successfully - surely that's better than the current situation?

I'm not of the belief that tattoos are always the best option - they suit far fewer people than the amount who have them. Also, if the scars are that bad, there's no guarantee that a tattoo would particularly help with their appearance. Sometimes something that's been obviously covered up looks worse. Hence the reason why i think it would be better to go to another professional, see what other treatment and/or camouflage options are available and then decide from there.

As for your mother, the fact that she's ashamed to be out with you reflects very poorly on her. Seek out those who are more worthy of your time and affection.