Creating Your Support System: Essential Help You Will Need After Surgery

Support is essential when undergoing any surgical procedure. Support can come from family and friends. Support can be both emotional and physical. Children, siblings, and partners can be especially helpful during the initial recovery period. Friends can be helpful during the weeks and months of healing following the initial recovery.

Loved Ones Are Welcome to the Consultation

I find it helpful for patients to bring their support in for the consultation. Whether it is a husband, wife, partner, child, or best friend, these individuals can ask questions the patient may have forgotten or not thought to ask. I have found that these individuals can sometimes clarify thoughts and the aesthetic concerns of a patient. They may also have an opinion on how the consultation went.

Physical Support Is Essential for Twenty-Four (24) Hours After Surgery

Patients are required to have a caregiver with them for the first approximately twenty-four (24) hours after surgery as they recover from the anesthesia medications. This time requires someone to provide physical support, as patients are most likely going to relax during this period.

Support is not necessarily required after twenty-four (24) hours. However, these individuals can be helpful even after this time. For example, they can help the patient wash their face and hair. They can apply ointments to the incisions, some of which are tucked behind the ears and are, therefore, difficult to see.

Emotional Support Is Essential for the Days and Weeks of Healing

Finally, a support group can be hugely beneficial during the first weeks and months of recovery when the patient is not visiting the office as frequently. For example, the first one (1) to three (3) months of recovery can be the most challenging mentally. Patients are healing and improving every day. However, the process often feels like it slows. There are also fewer steps indicating progression such as suture removal, etc. As a result, it can be a sensitive time when it is important to seek the support of loved ones.