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Scar Photo Essay

TheGoodEye
0 Recommendations

I'm a photographer working on a photo essay on scars.The goal of this photographic art project is to document the impact of current surgical techniques on the human body. It is also intended to capture a record of today's surgical methods and to mark these procedures as a point in time. Medical science is progressing very quickly, and many invasive procedures are gradually being replaced by less invasive ones.

I'm wondering how people who have gone through bypass surgeries would react to being asked to be photographed?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart disease Surgery

13 replies

bookman58

I would not bother me at all. I look at my scar as a badge of honor. The only problem would be finding my scar. They used "super glue" instead of staples which makes part of the scar difficult to see. My hairy chest doesn't help either. I have a great scar on my knee from total knee replacement. It would make a much better photo.

TheGoodEye

Great to know that you look at your scar as a badge of honor. I'm hoping that most of the people I'll be approaching will feel the same way.

I wish I live closer to where you live so I could take your photo. Tennessee is a long drive from Ontario, Canada!

Dgrant

If you had asked this question 3 or 4 months ago, I would have said a definite NO. However, a lot changes in 3 or 4 months. Not just the look of the scar, but also the attitude toward it (them, actually, with my leg scars from the vein grafts). These days I would not mind having my scar photographed. They used glue to keep the skin edges together, so there's not any extra "holes" from sutures or staples; I was happy about that. It's not as thin as I'd like, but it is fading now, so that's a good thing.

Too bad you're not able to travel from city to city to photograph scars!! HA

Dana in AZ

TheGoodEye

Thanks, Dana. Maybe I'll arrange a travelling studio!

Henry in Ottawa, Canada
www.henryfernando.com

blkrino

I had my chest opened twice so the scars are a little more prevelant. Plus they added some extra secure sutures.
Its too bad I didn't know this a week ago, I was visiting Cornwall for a week. That's pretty close to Ottawa.

TheGoodEye

That is really too bad! I would have really liked to take your photo for this project. I have travelled to other cities to take photographs. Are you within driving distance form Ottawa?

blkrino

Its about 6-7 hours to drive to London from Cornwall. I can send you a picture to see if its worthwhile for you to drive all that way.

TheGoodEye

I am planning on doing a photo shoot in Toronto sometime in the new year and London isn't that far away. It will be great if I can photograph your scars.

You can email me privately if you want at hfphotography@rogers.com or efernando@rogers.com.

Thanks!

Hamp

I was very concerned about "the scar" from the moment I was advised that I would have to have immediate open heart surgery which took place on 6/10/08.

On 12/24/08, I was blessed to celebrate my 60th birthday.

My daughter pleaded with me to have a draped photo session.

On 1/10/09, I did it (for her). The photos are beautiful because they display the symbol of another God-given opportunity to live.

I am so glad that my daughter encouraged me to do the photo shoot.

To all of my by-pass brothers & sisters I say be proud of your scar. We have weathered the storm, passed the tests and now we have a testimony. We should proudly bear them on our chests. No words needed. Our scars speaks to all who see them, but more so to us. Each time I look at my photos I realize how blessed I am. Thanks for this opportunity to express how I feel about "my scar of life".

nanamo

i not only have the scar down my chest i now have one on the left side of my chest near my shoulder with a bulging pacemake sticiking out at 1st i was very aware of my herat surgery scar and scared to show it now i wear and show with pride and courage and i found out that it helps me to get the word out about young women and heart disease so its there i show it not afraid to show it and surely not afraid to have it photograhped


god bless
surviving heart disease one day at a time
nanamo

yazz

I am ok about my scar...You can just see the top of it in my photo....It reminds me how lucky i am to be here so enjoy every day for the rest of it.....If i had the choice....No i dont want it...but there was no choice so i am fine with it....It still hurts ( 6 wks ) i have to make sure the sune get get on it but from the time i first saw it till now.....I looks a lot better....I even commented on the surgeons sewing......

Wishing you well x

MTL9

I had a great surgeon, so it is already looking real good. At first, like Ham and Dgrant, I didn't even want to look at it post surgery. On the fourth day I was pleasantly surprised! I could see in time it would almost be invisible. I too feel it is a badge of courage.

pmob20

I'm only four weeks out from my surgery and the scar is flat and slightly red. If you want can we e;Mail the pic to you. It is a badge of honor and one showing how life is so important to us.

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