Selena Gomez Proudly Displays Her Kidney Transplant Scar in New Swimsuit Photo
Selena Gomez, 28, just shared a photo of her kidney transplant scar to Instagram.
The singer wrote that she used to cover her scar, but now she feels confident.
Gomez underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 amid complications from lupus.
Selena Gomez is getting candid about her health. In a new Instagram post, the “Rare” singer shared a swimsuit photo that proudly displayed her kidney transplant scar. She wrote in the caption what the scar represents for her today, and how her perception of it has changed over the years.
“When I got my kidney transplant, I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar. I didn’t want it to be in photos, so I wore things that would cover it up,” she wrote. “Now, more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through...and I’m proud of that.”
She also showed her support for Theresa Mingus, who created La’Mariette swimwear. “T - Congratulations on what you’re doing for women, launching @lamariette whose message is just that...all bodies are beautiful.”
A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 24, 2020 at 9:57am PDT
Gomez revealed she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body, in a 2015 interview with Billboard. Symptoms of lupus include overwhelming fatigue, joint pain, body aches, skin rashes, hair loss, and more.
The 28-year-old underwent chemotherapy to treat the condition and has periodically taken breaks during her acting and singing career to visit rehabilitation centers to focus on her health. Then, in 2017, she revealed that she underwent a life-saving kidney transplant after developing kidney failure.
In September 2017, Gomez opened up about the transplant in an Instagram post following her procedure. “I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health,” she wrote in the caption. “I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you.”
She thanked her “incredible” doctors, and her friend Francia Raisa, who donated her kidney to Gomez. “There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me,” she wrote. “I am incredibly blessed.”
A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT
Gomez admits her diagnosis has also affected her mental health. The actress checked into rehab in 2016 for anxiety and depression, and she also opened up about people “attacking” her for her weight gain due to her lupus medication.
“I have lupus and deal with kidney issues and high blood pressure, so I deal with a lot of health issues, and for me, that’s when I really started noticing more of the body image stuff,” she explained on the podcast Giving Back Generation, Shape reported.
“It’s the medication I have to take for the rest of my life—it depends on even the month, to be honest,” she said of her weight fluctuation. “So for me, I really noticed when people started attacking me for that. And in reality, that’s just my truth. I fluctuate. It depends on what’s happening in my life.”
But now, Gomez has confidence in her body. She even created a makeup line called Rare Beauty, which encourages self-confidence and body positivity. “I’ve stopped trying to be perfect. I just want to be me,” she told Glamour.
“I want us all to stop comparing ourselves to each other and start embracing our uniqueness,” she continued. “You’re not defined by a photo, a like, or a comment. Rare Beauty isn’t about how other people see you. It’s about how you see yourself.”
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