How do you cope with a surgery?

First, prevention is far better than cure. Staying safe means you can have more fun and more time to enjoy your life. For instance, always cross at the pedestrian crossing, do not to take “shortcuts”; do not eat anything given by a stranger, do not climb the fence. Other tips related to playground safety: “Take a grown-up. Take a good look around. Keep your size in mind. Don’t go too high. Look out below. Swing safely” (Children’ Hospital of Pittsburgh, Patients and Families, Kid’s Health, Watch out).

However, if you need an operation or surgery:

• Know you are in the best hands. Prepare your family: Watch the -preparing for surgery- video with your child. (Children Hospital’s Colorado, Your Visit, Prepare for Doctor Visit, Overnight Stay or Surgery).

The science of medicine has progressed dramatically in the last 50 years and at an increasingly rapid rate.

• Being worried and anxious can cause you to feel quite ill. It is perfectly understandable, but you will achieve absolutely nothing. Relax, take it easy, everything is going to be OK!

• Prepare yourself: the more parents know about what to expect, the better parents and their kids will feel about it.

• Things you should know about surgery: Anaesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You will not feel pain or remember the operation and will be sleeping during your surgery. You are not having surgery because you were bad, surgery is not a punishment. It is being done to fix something that’s wrong or to help you feel better (About.com Surgery, The Special Needs of Kids Having Surgery).