Making decisions about surgery and treatments (what to have, how much to have, when to have it, how much to involve your child in the decision making process) can be a tricky and emotional experience. For many parents contacting us the big question is often "should I do this" especially when they know procedures can be painful for their child.

The decisions you make may be influenced by society's beliefs about the importance of appearance and what this means for your child’s future, e.g. will school be easier for him, will he be more likely to get a good job or find a partner? Other factors that may influence your decision include the risk involved, the nature of the treatment and the length of time spent in hospital or recovering. Your child may also have his own views about whether he wants to have treatment or not and it will help him to be able to talk these through with you.

Changing Faces can help you work through your thoughts and feelings associated with this process. In our experience, this can enable you to feel more in control and able to make decisions you are comfortable with.

We can also advise you and provide practical suggestions on the following aspects of going into hospital:

• Preparing your child for treatment
• Caring for your child in hospital
• Looking after yourself and your partner
• Talking with your child about the change in his appearance
• Going back to school

The guides Going into hospital for 0-3 year olds and Going into hospital for 3-11 year olds also contain lots of information and practical suggestions on these topics.