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Original poster

Embarrassed about no bra during heart scan

28 replies

PETRONELLAS · 08/09/2020 15:23

Just that really. Felt embarrassed last time and just can’t bear the thought and need to hear im not the only one.

OP posts:
Lottieskeeper · 08/09/2020 15:33

You're not the only one. I was fairly mortified when I had my last one and the young chap doing the scan was young and handsome. Would have been slightly less embarrassing if it was a matronly middle aged woman.
I couldn't look him in the eye. Just started at the wall.
But it's very important to have them. So we must go.
Worse was running on a treadmill; naked from the waist up covered in sensors with a massive mirror infront and 3 nurses/doctors in the room. Not my fondest memory.

JMG1234 · 08/09/2020 15:55

I took comfort from the thought that they must see bra-less ladies multiple times a day so I'm sure they don't even notice.

Akire · 08/09/2020 15:57

I was more concerned that they had to press really hard to scan. Must be so much easier for blokes with no boobs in the way!

growinggreyer · 08/09/2020 15:57

Sounds like it should be a female only procedure, like mammograms are. You could speak to them and ask if that is possible. It's worth flagging up with them.

Itsrainingnotmen · 08/09/2020 15:58

At my breast screening the user commented it must be cold outside.
I didn't go for my next appointment..
Wish I had complained..

Redcups64 · 08/09/2020 16:02

When it comes to hospitals your dignity is left at the door, it doesn’t matter, they have seen it a thousand times and whilst it’s normal for you to feel uneasy about it, you don’t have too.

You just pick your dignity back up on your way out the door.

It’s important for you to go, your health matters so try to suck it up and out it out your mind if possible, but you honestly don’t have to worry about being braless....I’m hoping a few more years and women ditch bras all together unless they WANT to wear them.

CorianderLord · 08/09/2020 16:03

I have phototherapy twice a week every week and have done for 15 weeks. I get to get fully naked and have them examine my skin.

It's not fun, but you get over it eventually and realise they don't care what you look like you're just a medical subject to them. Even if it makes me a little cringe about my droopy bum.

Original poster
PETRONELLAS · 08/09/2020 16:07

Thanks hugely for quick replies. They’re just so lumbersome in that laying on the back position and I feel so awkward when they’re blocking where the scanner thing needs to go. I will go but will go knowing it’s normal to feel like this.

OP posts:
VeggieSausageRoll · 08/09/2020 16:09

@Lottieskeeper

You're not the only one. I was fairly mortified when I had my last one and the young chap doing the scan was young and handsome. Would have been slightly less embarrassing if it was a matronly middle aged woman. I couldn't look him in the eye. Just started at the wall. But it's very important to have them. So we must go. Worse was running on a treadmill; naked from the waist up covered in sensors with a massive mirror infront and 3 nurses/doctors in the room. Not my fondest memory.
Jesus, I'm glad I didn't have to do a stress test! I'd have been jiggling all over the place. My cardiologist decided the fact I'd cycled 20 miles there and was cycling 20 miles back probably suggested it wasn't necessary!

@PETRONELLAS you can always request a female sonographer if it helps at all.

I personally don't have an issue but always end up with the smallest woman ever. I'm not small (over 6ft tall and very broad, built like a man Blush) and when I have to lie on my left, the poor woman has to practically lie over the top of me to reach to scan

utterlynutty · 08/09/2020 16:21

@ Lottieskeeper
Why on earth would they have you on a treadmill naked from the waist up.
I used to work in an out patient department where we regularly put people on a treadmill. Females always had a gown on which was fastened up after all the electrodes had been placed.
You can't get a good heart scan if you're wearing a bra,but females again always wore a gown (unfastened ) to try and keep them covered up as much as possible.
I leave my modesty at the door when I attend any medical appointments ,but I did blush one time when the doctor examining me after a referral to the breast clinic turned out to be someone I had worked with in the past.

VeggieSausageRoll · 08/09/2020 18:41

I leave my modesty at the door when I attend any medical appointments ,but I did blush one time when the doctor examining me after a referral to the breast clinic turned out to be someone I had worked with in the past

I had a rectal exam when I had suspected cauda equina syndrome and the doctor seemed familiar but I couldn't quite place him.

Fast forward a fortnight later, started a new term at uni having thankfully avoided spinal surgery, hobbled into my neurology lecture on my crutches, and who is giving the lecture? Finger-up-the-bum-man who just happens to locum in A&E Blush

As for my dignity, that's probably sat in the lost property cupboard of the maternity unit.

Ifonlywecouldwishuponastar · 08/09/2020 18:45

From an experienced cardiac patient
They see it everyday. It's their job so don't feel embarrassed.Wink

ChristmasArmadillo · 08/09/2020 19:05

I had a two week old baby when I last had a heart scan. I decided to just put it out there Preemptively and inform the nice young man that I’d probably gush milk all over his hands, and indeed, I did. I have never been more embarrassed in my life.

SoManyActivities · 08/09/2020 19:12

I had radiotherapy for breast cancer so had to lie there with my boobs out every day for 3 weeks! And one of the radiographers was a really hot bloke as well! They don't care, they see boobs all the time, and I'm sure it's the same for cardiac doctors and nurses.

This though:

Worse was running on a treadmill; naked from the waist up covered in sensors with a massive mirror infront and 3 nurses/doctors in the room.

Is a different kettle of fish, eeeeeek!

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 08/09/2020 19:23

I've had to have this too - the nurse (?) was a trainee and was mortified at having to ask me to get my boobs out.

After childbirth and two years of breastfeeding she was about the only person on the planet who hadn't seen intimate parts of my anatomy so I wasn't too embarrassed.

yolio · 08/09/2020 19:29

I always go to these things with the attitude that they are just trying to get the right image on the scan and don't care if your boobs are down to your knees.

It's a medical procedure, and on the rare occasions that I do feel a bit iffy I picture the technician/doctor being constipated and straining on the loo. LOL.

AuntieDolly · 08/09/2020 19:33

I refused to run half naked on the treadmill and put a loose top on. I honestly thought it was a joke. Male army doctor - I'm not convinced it was above board to this day! and we were on our own.

Jojobythesea · 08/09/2020 19:34

@Itsrainingnotmen

At my breast screening the user commented it must be cold outside. I didn't go for my next appointment.. Wish I had complained..
That's absolutely outrageous 😮
AlternativePerspective · 08/09/2020 19:41

Another experienced heart patient. I’ve been there a thousand times before (almost literally,) Grin some hospitals even make you take your bra off if you have an ECG, and as I have those regularly it’s just how it is for me. Added to that chest X-rays, the fact I have been catheterised, spent time on ICU, been washed by male HCA’s and I’ve forgotten the meaning of the term dignity. I just take the view that it’s just a natural body and this is just what they do.

In fact when I had my ICD fitted I didn’t wear a bra for several months because the strap aggravated my scar, and now I frequently just don’t bother anyway.

TellySavalashairbrush · 08/09/2020 19:55

My sister is a cardiographer and once told me she gets irritated by those who insist on keeping a bra on (easier to attach pads and wires I think) she sees so many boobs that she now regards them as you would a piece of furniture. Wouldn’t worry at all op.

Oldmum55 · 08/09/2020 19:56

I think you forget all about dignity once you've had a baby and you have been seen and prodded in all secret places! My elderly MIL tells me that there's worse to come when during spells in hospital you are assisted to the toilet and washed by male nurses!

SirGawain · 08/09/2020 20:08

@Itsrainingnotmen

At my breast screening the user commented it must be cold outside. I didn't go for my next appointment.. Wish I had complained..
You didn't go for an important and potentialy life saving examination because you were annoyed that the operator made an inappropriate joke? I think you seriously need to examine your priorities.
Notapheasantplucker · 08/09/2020 20:31

'she gets irritated by those who insist on keeping a bra on'

She sounds nice Hmm
She's not the one standing there with her tits out though.

Original poster
PETRONELLAS · 08/09/2020 20:45

Thank you all very much.
The last one I had was awful because the person doing it was huffing when she couldn’t get a clear picture. I did all I was meant to but she was frustrated about the tech. Wrote ‘difficult study’ on the notes which I think referred to my weight. I am overweight - size 16 and have saggy ones.
So helpful to share.

OP posts:
Onekidnoclue · 08/09/2020 20:53

I had an ecg recently. Whapped the boobs out when I was told to “lift top” totally forgetting the no bra situation. Was embarrassed for a split second before deciding not to care. Embarrassment came back later when I saw how hairy my nipples were, should have tweezered 😳

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