12 Questions to Ask Before a Child’s Surgery
When a child faces surgery, the procedure can be just as scary – or even scarier – for a parent.
Parents with a child facing surgery should ask plenty of questions to learn as much as possible about their child’s surgery and post-operative care.
“You have to do whatever you need to do so you feel like you are being a good parent,” says Dr. David Gibbs, a pediatric surgeon and president of CHOC’s medical staff.
Dr. Gibbs recommends that parents ask the following questions before a child’s surgery:
- How will this operation help my child?
- Is the surgery an inpatient or outpatient procedure?
- How long will my child need to be in the hospital?
- What type of incision will be used?
- What medications will my child need?
- What are the risks of the surgery and the anesthesia?
- What type of post-surgery care will my child need afterward?
- How will my child’s pain be managed?
- When will my child be fully recovered?
- What limitations will my child have after surgery, and for how long?
- When can my child eat and drink after surgery?
- Is there anything else you think we need to know about this surgery?
