Does Your Child Need Surgery? Here Are Guidelines For A Positive Experience
Surgery is a highly invasive medical procedure, making it a scary experience to go through, especially for a child. But it does not have to be terrifying. When handled by the right professional and in the right way, the experience can be very pleasant and memorable for your child. Some of the most common reasons children have to undergo surgery include placing ear tubes, fixing bone fractures after accidents, hernia repairs, and removing lesions and tumors.
If your pediatrician has recommended that your child have surgery, you need to plan well ahead of the procedure. Here are ways in which you can ensure the child has a pleasant and positive experience.
Explain the Procedure to Your Child
The first thing you need to do is explain the issue to the child. The doctor will do their share of the explaining, but the child will also have questions for you. Toddlers usually worry about issues such as being separated from their loved ones. You need to assure your child that you will be there.
You also need to explain to them about any differences they might have in their appearance after the procedure. If, for example, it is a head surgery, they might have to shave their hair, which will be distressing unless you talk to them about it. Some parents even shave their own heads in solidarity.
Find a Great Pediatric Surgeon
The next step in the process is looking for the best surgeon for the procedure. The person should have the right training and experience working with kids, and they should also have the right interpersonal skills. Watch how the pediatric surgeon interacts with the children in the ward, and ask about other parents' experiences with them. Pick the one who will make the journey easiest for you and your child.
Find a Way to Calm Their Anxiety
The child will most likely be very anxious before the procedure. Refer to the activities that often calm them down, and use them to help alleviate their stress. You can sing lullabies, let them hug their favorite toy, or read a story for them just before they go into surgery. Also, small gestures like holding their hands and assuring them that everything will be okay will go a long way.
Choose an experienced and compassionate pediatric surgeon to take your child through their surgery. This will minimize stress and increase the possibility of a positive outcome.