CHARLOTTE, NC- Going into surgery is not only scary for a child, but also for mom and dad. Dr. Andrew Schulman with Pediatric Surgical Associates shares a few pointers to help ease everyone’s anxiety.
He says for kids ages 4 & under, comfort is key. Their comprehension of what’s going on will be very minimal.
Ages 5 to 9 can be tricky. Give them broad information to help manage their anxiety.
Children 10 and up will have full compehension of what’s going on. It’s best to be honest and supportive.
Dr. Schulman also says its a good idea to ask your surgeon to help explain what’s going on and why. It’s also okay to ask about their experience.
It’s natural to have second thoughts about sending your child into surgery. If something doesn’t feel right though he says to trust your intuition. Ask yourslef:
- Do you trust the opinion you’ve been given, are there other options available?
- Always ask if the surgeon is the one your doctor would use for his or her own children? If the answer is unclear, do the research yourself.
- Has the care you received feel personalized or institutionalized? Oftentimes, health systems will have preferences to how certain conditions are treated and which physicians they want treating them. However, these mandates may not be the best for your child. When in doubt, you have a right to ask for a second opinion.
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- Have you and your child been involved in the decision-making process?
- Do you know what the surgery is for and the details of the procedure?
