Preparing kids for change in adult's appearance?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I haven't seen my young nephews (ages 5, 2, and infant) since Xmas, a

couple of days before my surgery. It's been over a month and I'm

still slightly bruised and definitely swollen (I'm recovering pretty

slowly), plus obviously my appearance has changed because of the

surgery itself (upper jaw + genio) -- so I look pretty different from

the Auntie Sara they're used to seeing!

My question is -- how did those of you with children, nieces/nephews,

etc. prepare them for the change in appearance? (My oldest nephew is

highly sensitive/scared of any mention of doctors and dentists, as

well, so we don't want to give him too many details -- but we also

don't want to lie, either.)

Also, how did you prepare *yourselves* for their reactions? I'm

feeling pretty up and down these days about how I look (I love my

profile, but am not quite comfortable with my frontal appearance),

and am scared not just of upsetting my nephews, but also of getting

upset myself if they are scared or put off by seeing me. I miss them

so much and can't wait to see them, but fear that they might not

really think I'm the same " Auntie Sara " after all.

Thanks for any suggestions or insights!

Sara