Model Proves Scars Are Beautiful By Baring Chest After Heart Surgery

A model who has undergone three open heart surgeries has bared her dramatic chest in an inspirational photoshoot. [Photo: Caters]

Teenager Jeannie Hargave posed for her latest set of pics, showing that the jagged line down the centre of her chest as a result of the operations in no way makes someone any less beautiful.

The 19-year-old was born with bicuspid aortic valve - a deformed valve and went into cardiac arrest after she was born.

She had her first surgery at just five-days-old and has undergone two more since, her latest in April 2015.

And while some may think that the surgery scars would be a flaw or could get in the way of a career in front of the cameras, Jeannie has proved them all wrong.

The stunning teen started modelling while she was at school and has landed background roles for Hollywood flicks.

Her impressive resume includes L'Oreal Professionals, as well as Hot Pursuit and new movie Showing Roots.

Jeannie, from Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, said: “Self-acceptance is such an important thing.

"Since my heart attack, I’ve tried to get more into modelling to prove a scar is not a flaw.

"I’ve never had a moment where my scar upset or embarrassed me.

Surgery: Jeannie has had three operations on her heart. [Photo: Caters]

"Then again, I’ve had one since I was a baby, I don’t know what I look like without it.

"But I’ve honestly never felt self-conscious about my scar - it really wasn’t something I paid attention to.

"It always meant more to me that I was alive and if someone was uncomfortable seeing my scar that says more about them than it does about me.”

Doctors gave Jeannie a new valve when she was 13 but last year she suffered a heart attack while dancing with her dad.

Three weeks later she had surgery to replace the mechanical valve which had formed clots and there is a “strong chance” it won’t need replacing.

However, she will have to live with her condition for the rest of her life.

She added: "There are many times throughout the day that I get tired.

"I also get frequent migraines, and that definitely puts extra strain on my day.

"But I try to stay positive and do as much as I can and take a break when I need to.

"I hope to inspire girls that a flaw you may see is a beauty to someone else.”

Should scars be hidden away or embraced? Tweet us your thoughts @YahooStyleUK.

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