Families benefit especially from the experience of pediatric social workers, whose expertise make a major difference in transitions from pre-surgery to recovery. Everything's different when it's a child. It's not only about tiny veins and arteries, but the impact on the entire family. We are always thinking of that. These professionals prepare both patient and family for all aspects of the transplant process.
Children can read about the transplant in books written at their age level.
Then, to help ease fears about the procedure, patients and family are led on a tour of the operating room and intensive care unit. The social worker arranges alternative educational plans with the schools so that the child can remain with their grade. The nutritionist assesses dietary issues prior to surgery. Then, after surgery, she helps the patient cope with weight gain, which is one common side effect of immunosuppressive medications. The surgery itself is performed by one of the few surgeons in the country with dual specialties in transplant surgery and pediatric surgery.