Surgery

• As with any health-related information on the Web, be mindful of the credibility of a particular source before you use it for reference or advice. Our findingDulcinea Health Web Guide can help you assess the credibility of a medical Web site.

• Just typing "surgery" into a search engine will likely yield many results about plastic surgery. Be as specific as possible when you run a general search to ensure that you get relevant, credible sites.

• You can find videos online that show actual surgeries being performed and others that demonstrate surgeries using 3-D images. Be aware that some of these depictions may be too graphic for certain audiences.

• You can often find helpful information on medical Web sites, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the American College of Surgeons. While the content is generally geared toward doctors, there are often "patients and consumers" sections at these sites, which use simpler medical terminology to explain surgical procedures and recovery.

• Something to consider when choosing a surgeon is whether the doctor is board certified. Not all specialties have board certification, but the American Board of Medical Specialties lists the specialties where certification is available.
  

• There are many professional organizations for different types of surgeons (for example, heart, plastic or reconstructive, and brain). Visiting the Web sites of these organizations can provide insight on what to look for in a surgeon of that specialty. Many of these organizations even provide registries of certified surgeons or lists of questions to ask surgeons before you choose one.

• These sites offer clinical information that can inform your decision. There is nothing more important in recovery, however, than the personal experience a hospital and its staff provide. Ask your friends, family and neighbors what their experiences have been during various hospital visits. People, not facts or statistics, evaluate personal care best.

• If you know in advance that you'll be having surgery, your doctor will likely give you a specific set of instructions to prepare for that procedure. The sites here can help you understand what preparation and recovery might entail.

• In some cases, you may have a choice about what type of anesthetic you'd like during surgery. The sites below can help explain the differences in types of anesthetics, but not all of these choices are suitable for every patient. Involve your doctor in your decision about anesthesia; he or she can help you find a good balance between what you want and what is medically appropriate for you.

• Have a latex allergy? The surgeon may need to use different supplies during your surgery. The American Academy of Family Physicians has published an article about what latex is and what you should do if you have an allergy. The patient information handout lists support groups and informative resources for people with latex allergies.

• If you prefer visiting with someone in person to discuss your questions and feelings, or if you can't find an online support group that suits your needs, your doctor or a nurse might be able to direct you to a support group in your area.

For general surgery support …

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• If the hospital that will be performing your child's surgery has a Web site, consider searching the site for hospital tour information. Taking a tour of the hospital before surgery could help you and your child become acclimated to the hospital setting before surgery.

• If you're feeling overwhelmed with the sometimes confusing terminology you encounter in a hospital setting, consult a medical dictionary like MedTerms for help.

To learn about surgeons and surgical procedures…