Post Surgical Blues: Who is Around You Makes a Big Difference

Dr. Julian Henley writes about recovering from surgery and offers some tips for those considering surgery.

Anyone who undergoes surgery faces a very normal experience of anxiety. Recovery can be painful, and often it is very frustrating to be outside of a normal routine. Choosing supportive friends or loved ones to be with you during this time can help speed the recovery process.

Most cosmetic plastic surgery is performed on outpatient basis and the physical discomfort is minimal. It looks worse than it feels! It is very common to experience a ?blue? phase, about one 4-5 days post surgery, when it feels like the process will never end; and doubts about making the right choice are common. This phase may indeed be biologically mediated and related to post surgical hormonal changes and few nights of restless sleep. Yet, once this phase passes, the results begin to outweigh the swelling, and everyone feels better.

Any surgery whether cosmetic, functional or life saving have common expected recovery challenges like discomfort, swelling, bruising and possible problems related to delayed bleeding or infection. It is also a time of emotional vulnerability for the patient, and loved ones often have their own reactions to deal with.

I have found very unusual circumstances as a cosmetic plastic surgeon, in observing the unexpected reactions family members have when a patient chooses and elective cosmetic surgical procedure. Sometimes sisters or friends react with jealousy that is hurtful. Sometimes boyfriends or spouses are unkind and unsupportive. This does not normally happen in other types of surgery, such as a hip replacement or eye surgery.

I performed a facelift on one of twin sisters living in different states. During recovery the distant twin sister was highly critical of the choices for elective surgery her sister made, and offered an ?I told you so? about every bruise, swelling, and discomfort. The criticism made the postoperative recovery quite miserable and painful for her.

Ironically, once the recovery was complete, the critical twin sister came in herself for a face lift a month later, after she saw the results. She fortunately had a much more loving and supportive recovery overseen by the first twin sister. The clearing of the underlying family dynamics made her recovery almost pain free.

Here are a few tips on how to best prepare for an optimal surgical recovery:

Make the choice to have cosmetic surgery based on the happiness it will give you. Do not make this choice to keep an old lover, or attract a new one. Make this choice for yourself and for no one else.

Set up a loving and caring environment at home for at least the first week. Do not subject yourself to the opinions of friends or family members who are not supportive of your decisions.

Clean up your own act if you have a special relationship with alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs before undertaking such surgery. Do not sabotage the benefit you just gained with substances that make you look and feel worse.

Choose your cosmetic surgeon based on his/her good aesthetic judgment and suitable credentials. Asking to see actual photographic or live results of their work is important. Good taste and aesthetic judgment are just as important as medical training.

Remember in recovery the age old phrase, ?This Too Shall Pass.? Watch some TV, read an old novel, and enjoy the time of seclusion. If you pace your expectations, and manage the reactions of those around you, the experience will be much easier.

Thanks to broma for the image.

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