How to Help Support a Friend After Surgery

Your friend is having a voluntary surgery, such as plastic surgery and their friends aren't circling to help them through the recovery process. You'd like to help your friend during the recovery time, but aren't sure what they're going to need from you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask them to ask their doctor what kind of recovery they can expect. Depending on the procedure, your friend may recover in two days or need several weeks of help from you.
2. Let your friend know the days and times you'll be available to stop by and help them. Let them know how long you plan on staying and if you'll bring anything such as food or a movie. If you commit to a day, make sure you show up.
3. Be aware that people may judge you (for helping) and your friend for getting the surgery.
4. Watch for signs of depression. Depression after getting plastic surgery is common. People are tired and sore and until they heal, they look nothing like they hoped. Be prepared to cheer your friend up with amusing movies, favorite foods, things they can do at home or even gossip.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let your friend take advantage of you. Cooking a light meal or putting a few dishes in a dishwasher is a great help. But they should hire someone to cook a major meal or scrub a bathroom.
• Avoid doing anything medical other than getting the occasional pill. If your friend needs more help than that, have them hire a private nurse. Their plastic surgeon can probably recommend one.