What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

The prospect of surgery can be worrisome — both for you and your child. You likely have many questions, such as how to prepare for the surgery, whether your child will need to stay in the hospital and how long recovery will take. At Cincinnati Children’s, we’re ready to listen to your questions and lead you through the whole process, from start to finish.

The first step is a surgical consultation. This is your chance to meet the surgeon and get a better idea about what your child’s surgery will involve.

Making an Appointment at the Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

We want it to be easy for you to get the care your child needs. You can contact us directly to schedule an appointment.

During this call, we will:

• Gather information about symptoms, health history and past treatments.

• Collect past test results and medical records. (We’ll provide instructions on how to share this information with us.)

• Provide pre-visit instructions.

Or, your child’s pediatrician or provider can refer your child to us. We also take referrals from the emergency department and other hospitals.

On the Day of Your Visit to the Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

Arriving At Your Appointment

You will need to arrive about 30 minutes before your child’s appointment — 15 minutes to park and walk to our clinic and 15 minutes to check in at our registration desk.

At Your Appointment

During this first visit, we will spend time getting to know your child and determining whether surgery is the right option. Depending on your child’s diagnosis and individual needs, we may perform one or more imaging tests and lab tests to obtain a clearer idea of your child’s condition. If surgery is required, we will work with you to find a time and date that fits your schedule.

After Your Visit to the Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

You will receive an “After Visit Summary” at the end of your appointment, which includes important information about upcoming appointments, test results, all medications (including new prescriptions) and possibly a date for your child’s surgery. It will also include contact information for your child’s care team.