How to Talk to Your Children about Having Plastic Surgery

A plastic surgery patient faces many important conversations — like meeting a potential plastic surgeon and the pre-surgical consultation — and none more delicate than the one that involves telling their child about the planned operation. If you have decided to undergo plastic surgery, but you don’t know how to discuss it with your children, Dr. A.J. Khalil shares some helpful tips in this blog post.

Honesty Is the Best Policy

Dr. Khalil’s first piece of advice is to be honest with your children. Most kids are very adaptable and can get used to the idea of Mommy or Daddy having surgery. However, you need to allow time for them to process the idea, so don’t wait too long to start your conversation.

Depending on what you are comfortable with, try explaining that there is an area of your body or face that makes you unhappy, and you decided to fix it. Make the issue personal, explaining that everyone has different wants and needs, as well as the power to make positive changes in their own life. Just because you don’t like your nose or breasts doesn’t mean your child will need to fix theirs! In addition, reassure them that after surgery, you will not only be safe, but you will also feel better than ever.

Kids Don’t Need All the Surgical Details

Even though honesty is important, you don’t need to reveal all the nitty gritty details of surgery. For example, your kids do not need to be at the surgical center waiting for you after your operation. They don’t need to see your stitches or bandages. They don’t need to bear witness to bruising or swelling.

Plan some kid-free time for a few days after your surgery. Give yourself some time and space to recuperate privately, away from your children, either by recovering at a friend or family member’s house, or by sending the kids to Grandma’s house. Once you are past the initial recovery phase, and the majority of the bruising and swelling have dissipated, you can reunite.

Know that Kids Talk

The final piece of advice is to remember that most kids repeat what they are told. Are you prepared for your kids to tell everyone at school and on the playground about your plans? Consider your wording carefully when you do tell your children about surgery. Try to get comfortable with the idea that they will share the news with their friends.

Contact Dr. Khalil

For more information about talking to kids about plastic surgery, please call 310.385.8601 or email Dr. Khalil’s practice today.