Totally agree about multiple consultations—it can feel overwhelming, but it's worth it. Did you find certain questions especially helpful to ask during your consults? My kiddo might need a similar procedure soon, and I'm worried about missing something important. Also, mindfulness sounds useful, but did you practice beforehand or just wing it in the chair? I'm a bit skeptical my son could stay calm enough for that...
Totally get the overwhelm you're feeling—been there myself. When I was prepping for my bone graft, I found it super helpful to ask about recovery timelines in detail. Not just the general "you'll be sore for a few days," but specifics like when exactly swelling peaks, how soon you can realistically eat normal foods again, and what signs might indicate something isn't healing right. Also, don't forget to ask about pain management options beyond just meds—ice packs, elevation, even dietary tips can make a huge difference.
About mindfulness... honestly, I was skeptical too at first. I'm not exactly the zen type, lol. But I did practice a bit beforehand using some guided apps (Headspace was pretty good). Nothing intense—just short sessions to get familiar with breathing techniques and calming exercises. It actually helped more than I expected during the procedure itself. But yeah, kids are a different story. My niece had dental surgery recently and mindfulness wasn't really her thing either. What worked better for her was distraction—she brought headphones and listened to her favorite audiobook during the whole thing. Maybe something like that could help your son stay calm without needing him to actively focus on breathing or meditation?
Also, one more thing that helped me feel prepared was asking the surgeon directly about their experience with similar cases—like how many they've done in the past year or two and if they've encountered any complications. It felt awkward at first (didn't want to seem rude), but honestly, most docs appreciate informed patients who care enough to ask.
Anyway, hang in there—I know it's stressful trying to cover all your bases, but you're already doing great by thinking ahead like this. Hope everything goes smoothly for your kiddo!
Seconding the audiobook idea—my daughter listened to podcasts during her procedure and it worked wonders. Also, don't hesitate to get a second opinion if you're unsure... helped us feel way more confident going in. Good luck, you've got this!
Audiobooks or podcasts can definitely help ease anxiety—we found similar success with calming music playlists. Regarding second opinions, I'd add that preparing a detailed list of questions beforehand made our consultations more productive and reassuring. Worth considering if you're feeling uncertain.
Funny you mention calming playlists—I tried that before my wisdom tooth extraction and somehow ended up with a playlist full of whale sounds. Not sure it helped my anxiety, but I did dream about scuba diving... Definitely second the advice on prepping questions though, saved me from awkward silence.
