We are family, I've got all my sisters and me...

One of the most under-stated and overlooked aspects of surgery is good support. I am not talking about about Victoria's Secret Biofit bra, or one's underwear with reinforced crotch support (very comfortable btw) I am talking about plain old strong family values.

This blog topic is written in honor of a wonderful family whose frequent office visits brightens the day of our entire team.

In this family a few of them had some cosmetic surgery procedures with us, with another one planned in the upcoming future. "A family that plays together, stays together". The support and genuine concern that this extended family unit displays for one another is something to admire and emulate.

In 2002, Social Science and Medicine published a study looking at breast cancer surgery patients and their emotional recovery from surgery with and without family support. Satisfaction with social support was compared to measures of adjustment, and it was found that those satisfied with support from family members were significantly less anxious and depressed in the hospital.

However, at 1 month post-operation, anxiety and depression levels were significantly related to satisfaction with support from surgeons; and at 3 months post-operation, anxiety and depression measures were significantly related to satisfaction with support from both family members and surgeons. Clearly we all play a part.

I can say anecdotally, we generally have 4 types of patients.

1. This patient is very secretive and doesn't want anyone to know about their procedure. They refuse to even tell a friend or family member to drive them home. They don't want to be seen swollen or they are too proud to ask for help.

2. This patient does tell their friends and family and there is no support given. Oftentimes, jealously is projected as "why do you need this done? You're crazy! You must have money to spend." If they are a good friend, they should support you and know how important it is to you. They should be honored you told them. Oftentimes husbands or parents are "old fashioned" in their thinking and fail to understand how socially acceptable and safe cosmetic surgery is.

These patients oftentimes have a rough recovery. There are times you will need help preparing something to eat, getting ice, or just having someone to watch a movie with or talk to. We try our best to fill that roll for you if there is a void.

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3. The patient that tells there friends and family and has their support. These patients DEFINITELY do better. They are enthusiastic during their recovery process. They often take daily healing pictures to monitor their own healing. It seems like pain is less, and complaints are less, and they would be more likely to recommend the surgery to others and do it again.

4. Then there are the crazy ones. We try not to operate on them. Once in a while one slips through the cracks :)

The moral of the story is family and the support of friends is immeasurably important to recovery. Recovery should be a time where you are entirely self indulgent. Resting, reading, sleeping, spending time with those who care about you, and catching up with non strenuous work. Doing it alone is not ideal. Under some circumstances it has to be that way, and with the right person it can work.

This one family from Queens got the right idea.

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

-Desmond Tutu