I have a 10" vertical scar down my tummy more or less centred on my navel - I'm glad it didn't go any further south ! This was the result of having a long chunk of colon removed (because of diverticulitis) about 10 years ago. They also removed my appendix because they had to move all my internal plumbing around so much that the place which it would have ended up would have meant that no doctor would have made a correct diagnosis of appendicitis.

One of my friends told me "You shouldn't have much of a scar - it's all keyhole surgery nowdays". It's just a pity that the keyhole would fit that ceremonial key they use to to give people "The Freedom of the City of London".