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Plastic Surgery

 Patient Resources

What to Expect

A visit to any hospital can be stressful. But surgery, even an in-office procedure, can be daunting for both you and your child. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to make this process as easy and comfortable as possible.

Here is what you can expect on your visit:

When you come to our clinic, you and your child will check in with the front desk until you are called for your appointment time. You will then be greeted by our nursing staff and led into your exam room. Depending on the reason for the visit, your child may need to obtain labs or imaging studies. This will help us to determine the right care. The doctor will then see you and make the diagnosis and recommendations. He or she will answer any questions you may have. Depending on your case, additional studies may need to be ordered and you may be asked to return for a follow-up visit.

If you are visiting one of our specialty clinics (Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic, Craniofacial Clinic, Vascular Anomalies Clinic), you will see specialists from multiple disciplines to provide the most comprehensive care for your child’s condition.

You will be greeted by our nursing staff and led into the procedure room. The doctor will come in and talk about the planned procedure with you again. He or she will answer any questions or concerns that you may have and get your permission for the procedure.

Depending on the type of procedure, the age of your child, and the level of your child’s anxiety, we can apply topical numbing cream before injecting the surgical area with the numbing shot. The cream usually needs to be applied one hour before the planning procedure. In addition, we can request help from one of our Child Life Specialists to help reduce any stress or anxiety during the procedure.

After the procedure, your child will be allowed to go home once he or she is feeling well. You will be given follow-up instructions from your doctor so you can care for your child.

You will receive a call from us the day before surgery to review pre-operative instructions. When you and your child arrive at the hospital, follow the signs to the correct surgery location. Once you check in, you will wait in the waiting area until you are called by a staff member. You will be led by our nurses to the pre-surgical holding area where you will meet with your operating room nurse, the anesthesiologist and your surgeon. We will review our surgical and anesthesia plan and obtain your permission for your child’s surgery.

Your child will then be led into the operating room without you for the planned procedure. (It is important to note that, in most cases, all needles, tubes and lines will go in after your child goes to sleep so that he does not feel any pain.) Once surgery is complete, your child will wake up and be taken to post-surgery holding area. You will be allowed to rejoin with your child in the post-surgery holding area once he or she is fully awake.

Depending on the type and length of surgery, your child may be sent home the same day or be admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay.

For more information, please review Texas Children’s Hospital’s Pre-Surgical Instructions.

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at plasticsurgery@texaschildrens.org. We are always here to help!

Camp Keep Smiling

Children with cleft lip and palate tend to miss a lot of school for doctor and hospital visits. This can make it hard for them to make friends and fit in. In March 2014, Texas Children’s Hospital founded Camp Keep Smiling in Burton, TX, for these children. Camp Keep Smiling is hosted by the nonprofit Camp for All, which offers life changing programs for children and adults with challenging illnesses and special needs.

Camp Keep Smiling provides a safe, fun environment for your child to engage in meaningful social interaction and gain self-confidence. The camp offers activities like canoeing, fishing, archery, ropes courses, basketball, arts and crafts. It also offers your child a place to make lifelong friends without the fear and challenges of being different.

Admission is free of charge to patients between the ages of 10 and 16 at the Texas Children’s Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic.

Opportunities are available to help support the camp.