Prepare family and friends for your breast augmentation
May 6, 2014, 5:43 am
Your decision to undergo breast augmentation surgery is highly personal, exciting, and may possibly be stress-inducing as you wonder how your family and friends will react to your decision. While it is your decision alone to undergo augmentation surgery, it may seem like everyone has an opinion. You may wonder, “What if my friends and family don’t approve?” It might be tempting to just not say anything, but since breast augmentation surgery will change your appearance, those closest to you are likely to notice the difference, not to mention they may notice you spend several weeks in recovery.
Here are a few tips on how to discuss your upcoming surgery with friends, family, and even your employer.
Discussing surgery with your family
When discussing your breast augmentation with family members, keep in mind that children do not necessarily need to know all the details behind your surgery, but they may need to be prepared for any of your activity restrictions following your procedure. For instance, you may not be able to lift your children or carry them around for several weeks following surgery. You also may not be able to actively play and run around with your children in the manner you normally would. Talk to your children about your restrictions ahead of time so they won’t feel shocked or surprised when you have your surgery.
Many women find that it’s also helpful to talk to family members about helping out during the recovery period. When your family understands what your recovery needs are prior to surgery, your family will be able to help make sure that everything is being taken care of. Your family may be able to come up with ideas together about how to keep the household going while you recover. Use this time as a bonding period for your family and lean on each other for support as you heal.
Discussing surgery with your friends
While your family may need your reassurance that everything will eventually go back to normal at home, you may find your friends jumping in to offer support and help, even if you don’t ask for it! That’s just what good friends do, right? To help you through your recovery, ask your friends to work out a schedule to help you do errands, cook, and clean until you are able to return to your full range of activities. Ask a friend to help with carpooling and with driving your kids to soccer practice. Ask another friend to help with laundry and with preparing dinner. You might also be able to have friends help you get to and from the grocery store, and carry your groceries inside for you.
Friends who have undergone breast augmentation surgery may also be valuable resources for tips and ideas on how to ease your recovery period. Other friends who haven’t had augmentation surgery may find their interest piqued after helping you through your own surgery and recovery.
Discussing surgery with your employer
Approach your boss about taking time off for work as early as possible. Since breast augmentation is considered an elective procedure, your boss might not be as flexible as they would be if you were having your appendix removed. However, by approaching your boss early and with an openness to working out a surgery date and time off for recovery that fits within the business’s ebb and flow of work, you may be able to find a time that works well for both you and your employer.
Just as your children don’t need to know all of the details of your surgery, neither does your boss; however, it will be obvious when you return to work just what kind of surgery you have had. It may be better to tell your boss ahead of time so that they don’t feel as if they were tricked into letting you have time off for an elective procedure.
Handling people who don’t support your decision
Unfortunately, most of us have had someone in our lives that doesn’t support every decision we make. When discussing your breast augmentation surgery with those who don’t approve, keep in mind that surgery is your own personal choice. You are undergoing breast augmentation for your own reasons and to achieve your own individual goals. Consider also why some may object to your procedure. Some may not understand your reasoning, whereas others may feel left out of the loop and feel that they have no place in the journey. Is there a way to make these types of individuals feel included? Perhaps they can help with an errand, chore or other important tasks during your recovery.
Above all, the naysayers may simply want to know that you heard them. It may be enough for you to say, “I understand that you aren’t on board with my decision. I respect that and want to thank you for being honest with me.” Sometimes people object simply because they need to feel heard. Once you validate those needs, they often become your biggest champions.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your breast augmentation journey, call Kansas City Surgical Arts at (816) 286-4126 to schedule your consultation. If you are still concerned about how to discuss your breast augmentation with friends and family, bring your concerns with you to your consultation. It is the goal of Dr. Hlavacek and everyone at Kansas City Surgical Arts to make sure you have the support you need to go forward confidently with your decision.
