After your partner finishes having children, she may want post-pregnancy surgery. While what procedures she undergoes depends on how pregnancy impacted her body, your role as her partner throughout the journey has a big impact on its success.
No matter why she wants specialist plastic surgery, she needs your support. She may want surgery to help her feel more empowered and confident, or for physical reasons, such as to restore her body to pre-pregnancy days or to enhance some of her natural features.
Here are some tips for partners of post-pregnancy surgery patients:
- Prepare for the initial consultation
- Be supportive during the decision-making process
- Give her post-surgery care
- Offer support while recovering, especially over the long term
- Help her cope with unexpected issues.
Keep in mind that your role is to provide support, care and understanding during the whole process. By being supportive you empower your partner so she feels confident about her decision to have to have specialist plastic surgery.
Prepare for the Initial Consultation
Research the procedures together and prepare a list of questions to ask at the initial consultation to get a better understanding of post-pregnancy surgery. Also check that the doctor doing the surgery is a specialist plastic surgeon and has the experience and training to perform the procedure successfully. In Australia, any doctor can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon without doing additional training to become a plastic surgeon.
Attend the initial consultation with your partner. It will give you both peace of mind. With you both there, you get the same information at the same time which makes it easier to discuss later. It is also useful if you are going to be her primary caregiver after the surgery as you can ask questions about post-surgery care.
Show Support while she Makes a Decision
Be supportive while your partner goes through the decision-making process. Never pressure her into making a decision. Instead remind her that it is her decision and you will support her no matter what decision she makes. Show empathy and understanding and listen to what your partner says without being judgemental or dismissive. After all, this surgery is about your partner, not anyone else.
You may think your partner is already perfect and there is no need for them to change. It may even be that you do not agree or understand why they want to have surgery. You may have concerns about the risks and the recovery time. All your concerns are valid. What you need to consider is that your partner feels the surgery will be of benefit—physically and emotionally.
How you deal with the conversation is important. She needs to feel supported. Some things to help her through the decision-making process include:
- Consider your language. Instead of telling her she does not need plastic surgery, tell her that you love her the way she is but understand how important this surgery is to her and she has your support.
- Listen to your partner. It may be that your partner has trouble talking about wanting plastic surgery. Once she does talk about how she feels and why she wants surgery, listen without judgement or trying to change her mind. Show empathy so she feels truly understood. Even offer to help her during the pre-surgery preparation.
Post-Surgery Care
Offer your partner care during surgery. Drive her to the procedure and be waiting for her to wake up after surgery.
Spousal support after surgery is really important. Immediately after the surgery, and for the first few weeks, your partner will need a lot of support. Make sure your partner is comfortable once she gets home. Offer to help with the basic things, such as taking medications, housework, dealing with the children, getting dressed and attending any follow up appointments.
Your spouse will need a lot of rest so ensure she does not overdo things during the first few weeks.
The anesthetic will completely wear off the day after surgery. She has had major surgery and may start experiencing discomfort and pain. Help her take her medications at the prescribed time so she is comfortable and better able to cope.
Your partner may also need help getting dressed, getting up from the couch, visiting the bathroom and changing dressings. Be prepared to help her with anything that she needs.
Discuss these things beforehand so you know what to expect when supporting spouse after surgery. This will ensure there is little stress and will help her to recover quickly.
Support Long-Term Healing
Depending on the type of procedure and how many your partner had as part of post-pregnancy surgery, it can take up to 12 months or more to see the final results. There may be ups and downs during the healing process so it is important that you continue to support your spouse in any way that she needs.
After the first few weeks, your partner will start to feel better and begin returning to her normal daily activities. Remember, celebrate her progress together.
Coping with Unexpected Issues
There is always risks with surgery. Even though post-pregnancy surgery has a good safety record, there is a risk that unexpected issues can occur while healing. These can include infection, being slow to heal, scars that are noticeable and sometimes unexpected results. So it is important that your partner go to follow-up appointments and let the surgeon know about any concerns.
Reassure your partner that everything will be alright when she feels low.
For more information about post-pregnancy surgery, contact Pure Aesthetics today to book an initial consultation to find out more about post-pregnancy surgery.
