Sometimes around the time of surgery you may find that those nearest to you do not give you the emotional support that you need. There are many reasons for this.
During the first few weeks you will not see the final result and may even look worse than you did before surgery. More judgmental family members may take this opportunity to tell you that you made a wrong decision.Some friends or family members may feel threatened by your change in appearance. Your spouse may even feel that you are trying to make yourself more attractive for another man or woman.
When your surgery involves changing a family or cultural feature, such as a nose or eye shape, it may be suggested that you are rejecting your family or cultural heritage.
The first few weeks may be especially hard because you may not see the final result and may even have doubts yourself about the wisdom of surgery. Given time most of these feelings will pass and your family and friends will probably come to accept your new appearance. If you are changing a family or cultural feature be prepared for some negative comments and make certain that it is worth it for you. Remember that cruel though they may seem many negative comments are a reflection of the unconscious fears and anxieties of those around you.
Many doctors feel that it is best to discuss these issues with those closest to you before surgery If you are under the care of a psychotherapist it is always best to discuss your planned surgery beforehand.
It is your choice whether you tell your friends or colleagues about surgery. If you decide against telling them there are several ways you can make the transition less noticeable. One recommended method is to change something else about yourself so that others will think that the change in your appearance is due to your new style