Five Ways To Support Loved One Through Surgery

Wondering how you can support loved one through surgery and recovery? When you hear about a friend or co-worker having surgery or recovering from a major injury or illness you can pray for them, send a card or post your good wishes on social media. But when it’s your significant other, you see the situation up close and personal. It’s probably the closest you could get to go through it yourself. Helping your partner recover from surgery can be a difficult journey for you and them. Here are some tips on how to help them through this difficult time, but also remember your self-care as well!

When your partner is recovering from surgery or a major injury or illness, they will need your support. But remember your own self-care as well!

Five Ways To Support Loved One Through Surgery and Recovery

Pray for and with them. One of the best things you can do for your partner is to lift them up in prayer. Pray for them before, during, and after. But as great as praying on your own is, it is important to also pray with them. There really is power when two or more gather together (Matthew 18:20). You and your partner will feel more unified in this journey when you pray together out loud.

Help them with the basics. When you’re recovering from surgery or a major injury, one of the most frustrating things is the fact that you can’t do the little, simple, everyday things. It’s frustrating for the person recovering to have to ask for every little thing. It seems like your whole day just becomes asking other people for stuff. Try to help your partner cut down on the number of times they have to ask for something, by anticipating their needs. While you’re not expected to be a mindreader, it’s helpful to try to think ahead.

Allow others to help. Yes, you can handle it on your own. But you don’t have to. And you’re definitely going to want a break at some point. If you have friends and family offering to help, take them up on it!! Don’t just say thank you. Actually, let them know specific things they can do to help like providing dinner or running errands. Sometimes it can be difficult to accept help from others, but this is one of those times where you’ll be glad you did.

Have company. One thing friends and family can do to help is stop by and just hang out. Reserve this treat for your closest friends and family. When you’re in pain and focused on healing and recovery, the last thing you need is a rotating door of endless visitors. But it can be a nice mood boost to see a familiar face. When you’re resting and recovering at home, it can be quite mundane and depressing. It’s important to incorporate a bit of social time into your routine as you feel up to it. Encourage your partner to have company, just make sure they know when to leave!

See more: 5 Ways to Unwind as a Busy Mom

Talk about something else. When something like surgery or a major injury or illness happens to your partner, your focus shifts to worrying about them and just making sure they’re okay. But once you take time to fully process the situation, make an effort to talk about something other than that. Don’t let your whole relationship be about that. It’s important to go back to talking about stuff you used to talk about. Laugh. Joke. Hug. Love. Just treat them like the same person you fell in love with. They’re definitely going to want as much normalcy as possible.

When you think about “for better or worse, in sickness and health” you’re usually thinking about a common cold or a bad day, but there are really trying things like surgery, illness, and pain that can really challenge your relationship. Allow this difficult time to bring you closer together. Lean on each other for support. And take turns being strong. If you can get through this, you can get through anything!

Share your thoughts on practical ways to support loved one through surgery and recovery?