DEAR ABBY: I am a 16-year-old girl. I recently had open heart surgery and my doctor did a really bad job at the "stitching up." My scar is oversized and crooked.
People look at me all the time and ask me about it. I hate wearing certain shirts because of it. Why can't people realize this scar saved my life and stop staring at it? Please, I need some advice. -- SCARRED IN MINNESOTA
DEAR SCARRED: People look at your scar because it is different. They do not mean to stare or make you uncomfortable. A way to take control of the situation would be, when you see someone looking at your chest, to say, "I had open heart surgery. This scar saved my life." If you are asked about it, answer any questions honestly. That will take the mystery out of it -- and word will get around.