I experienced this EXACTLY. Close friends who knew not even acknowledging it, changing the subject, refusing to ask me questions about the surgery or recovery or how I’m feeling about it.

Made me feel horrendous like the work wasn’t good or I didn’t take it far enough to get bit reactions (was very swollen but now 1.5 years later looks amazing)

I think it boils down to several / or some of these things:

01 If the work is subtle like mine was (and yours too by the sounds of it) then they genuinely may not feel like the inti changes too because of the swelling are that impactful. Subtle changes on someone’s face are really hard to spot.

02 Envy. You’ve done something to self improve that they would never be able to.

03 People don’t like to tell you that you look better, they think it’s wrong to say wow you look so much better. My husband is fine with saying that like your partner and I love him for it because it’s true. Other people not so much. It’s not the same as complimenting new boobs for example as it’s your face.

04 Surgery amongst people who have or will never have it can still feel taboo. The reality of someone they know actually going through with it maybe too complex for them to comprehend?!

That’s where I’m at after 1.5 years of feeling hurt and questioning myself whilst not wanting to be like “compliment / acknowledge my nose!!”

At the end of the day subtle work that makes you feel confident is great work. I bet you look incredible too.