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OK, for those who know me, I like lists. This one was inspired by a newbie who posted about being alone postop. I threw this together with the assumption that the patient is a woman. It could easily be adapted for any combination/situation. Please, help me add to this....
A Guide for Those Caring for Plastic Surgery Patients
Before the surgery…
1. Support the decision – your loved one has thought long and hard, researched options and alternatives, and come to the conclusion that this surgery is right for her. She is doing it for herself, to feel better about herself, and to enhance her quality of life. She needs your emotional support as she anticipates the procedure as much as she will need your physical support after the operation. While it’s OK to communicate your feelings and concerns, it’s better to understand what motivated her to make her decision.
2. Plan on taking time to assist – determine how you can take the time from work to assist in the post operative care and plan for it early. Whether you take vacation, family medical leave, family sick days, or unpaid time off you need to plan for this well ahead of time so that she will not worry about her aftercare and endure unnecessary stress as she anticipates her surgery. Realize that some surgeries may be postponed or rescheduled if an illness should occur or if the surgeon has an emergency. Know what you will do about this scheduled time off if it should be put off to a later date.
3. Attend a preop visit with her. She may not want you to come in to the examining room or she may beg you to come in. It’s important to ask her what her preference is. Many times the unclothed patient can become “temporarily deaf” when consulting with a doctor. You can be the second set of ears that not only hears but listens to instructions. Ask if she wants you to go with her when she has her blood taken and other tests performed.
4. Understand that she will be very busy preparing for the upcoming surgery. She will purchase or borrow items that will make her more comfortable as she recovers. Some items may require setup or may interrupt the normal household décor. Realize that this is all temporary and all will return to normal after she has recovered.
5. Keep yourself healthy and get plenty of rest the night before the surgery. She needs you to be strong and capable.
6. You will need to drive her to the hospital or surgical center. Ask her if she wants you to stay with her as she is prepped or if she prefers you leave. Communicating both your needs at this time is very important. Some patients do better with their loved one right by their side until they go into the OR, others want to say good-bye upon entering the facility.
7. You may be asked to help take preop photos for her documentation. The most painless torture your loved one will experience is when the photos are taken prior to the surgery. All surgeons take these photos for their use, but your loved one may want to document her own progress as she transforms into her new shape. These photos are important records of each stage of the process. Some may even opt for video documentaries.
During the surgery and in the first few hours post op….
1. Your loved one may ask for you when she awakes. Please be sure you are available to come if she requests. Waking up from anesthesia can be a scary experience.
2. Bring a notepad with you and listen carefully as the nurse and/or doctor gives post op instructions, and write down as much as you can. Your loved one will be groggy from the anesthesia and the pain medications and may not be very rational. This is not a good time to argue with her about anything – agree to whatever she says or wants. Remember, she’s on drugs and is not herself.
3. Make the ride home as comfortable as possible. Have extra pillows handy and a plastic bucket in case she should get sick. Be prepared to pull over to a safe area if you anticipate that she is about to vomit.
4. Help her into the house as she requests. Some patients get agitated easily if you over-extend yourself. She may want to move in and out of the car her own way as she knows what hurts and what doesn’t hurt. Follow her cues, both verbal and non-verbal, as best as possible. Understand that if she yells at you that it’s the drugs affecting her.
5. Make sure she is settled and has everything she needs nearby. Keep an eye on her over the next few hours. She may want to sleep or she may be very alert and want to talk. Follow her cues.
6. Help her to follow her surgeon’s instructions on moving about – she may still have a catheter in her bladder and she will likely have drainage tubes. It will be difficult getting up and down, especially with the added appendages that follow the surgery. Moving frequently helps keep the blood flowing. If she sits too long she could develop blood clots that could become dangerous. Some patients are sent home with special stockings to wear. Others are just told to keep their legs moving. Ensure that she does this.
7. Keep an eye on her level of consciousness. If she falls asleep, can she awaken easily? Though very rare, bleeding postop complications can develop. If she becomes extremely weak, faints, loses color in her skin, or develops a large lump under the incision, call the doctor. Her doctor will assess the severity of the situation based on what you tell him. Make sure you have a working thermometer in case she needs to take her temperature to report to her physician. Be prepared, in rare cases, to bring your loved one back to the hospital. This means, if you have children at home that need care, make sure there is someone you can call to stand in for you in that capacity.
During the recovery period…
1. Realize that everyone heals at different rates and experiences different tolerance levels for pain. Your loved one may do well on the pain medications or may become ill from side affects. She may cry often and feel overwhelmed, or she may wonder what the fuss is all about. It’s important to follow her cues and be supportive of her and responsive to her needs. While she may be the patient, you must be most patient with her.
2. Take care of the basic household duties. Yes, you can do this. It doesn’t mean that you must steam clean carpets, but you can certainly take care of heating meals in the microwave, washing a few dishes, making sure the floors are clear of obstructions, keeping the bathroom tidy, and running basic errands for her. You may need to run to the pharmacy for a prescription or other items she may need. You may bring the items home and have to turn around immediately because something isn’t quite right. This may happen several times. It’s expected.
3. Your loved one may be anxious to show you her incision or she may hide it from you. Respect her needs at this point. If you are at all squeamish you may not want to look too soon. She may be bruised, swollen, leak fluids, or have areas that are not healing as well as others. She may have drains that follow long tubes that come out of holes in her body. She may need help emptying the drains then measuring the contents and recording amounts. Think Hawaiian punch or white zinfandel wine. Her fluid should change from blood red to a more watery red, then to a pink/amber color. If the tubes should clog she may need help – call the surgeon for advice on how this should be handled. If she becomes anxious about the drainage don’t hesitate to call for help. Follow the post op instructions on this.
4. Watch your loved one for dizzy spells. She may become lightheaded when getting up or if standing too long. She may need your assistance when getting up and moving around. Some need help when they shower. Others may want help washing their hair in the sink. A pedicure might be nice for her (just kidding).
5. She may ask for help with photos again. Realize that this may become an ongoing process, lasting months or even years. Documentation is very important for some plastic surgery patients.
6. At the two to three week point, your loved one may become depressed. Remain as patient as possible. This is common yet temporary. If her depression becomes severe or lasts more than a few weeks, seek medical attention for her.
7. Understand that she will ask for your opinion on her progress and results. Be tactful yet truthful. If you don’t know how to do this ask one of her girlfriends what you should say (as long as she has told her friend about the surgery - be careful not to accidentally "spill the beans"). Remember that the ultimate results will not be visible for months, perhaps even a year from the surgery.
8. When you return to work and she is home continuing with her recovery, call her during the day. Ask if she needs something picked up on your way home. These little efforts can make a big difference to her. A small bouquet of flowers is a nice touch, too.
9. Finally, realize that she did this for her but you may also enjoy the new woman who is so important to you. She is stronger from this experience, more self-confident and self-assured. This may very well have been the most difficult physical experience she has ever undertaken. Admire her determination and bask in the warm glow she emits as the newly restored woman that she is.
Last edited by 1962Barbie on Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:10 am, edited 3 times in total.
1962Barbie Global Moderator 320 to 155 lbs AL - 10/14/05 ETT/MR - 1/6/06 BL - 10/27/06 BL rev - 6/13/07 Lipo 3000cc- 2/29/08 NL filler - 6/16/08, 3/9/09 Platysmaplasty - 5/27/09 VNUS Closure - 9/08 and 3/09
All I can think to say is "Thank you". I am the newbie you were refering to and I am so greatful for people like you. Your knowledge and sensiitivity to all of our feelings means the world to me. Thank you again!
Thank you so much for posting that, I am definitly going to print it out and give it to my DH, I don't think he truly understands how much he will have to do while I am recooperating
You are an incredible woman! Thank you for that wonderful contribution. You are definitely a trailblazer, paving the road with valuable information for future generations.
This is great - thanks. could I add on tiny thing (I didn't reread it so maybe its already there)
but if your patient is sound asleep - don't wake her to take medicine or empty drains or see if she's ok or might want something. Its hard to actually fall sound asleep for awhile
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