FAQs

In this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), we have attempted to anticipate and address your primary concerns. If you have questions we have not covered here, please don’t hesitate to contact the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at 323-361-4544.

Why should we consider coming to Los Angeles?

A large number of families come to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles from across the country and other parts of the world. They come because they aren’t totally satisfied with the care available for their children in their local area. Frequently, their physicians are just not as familiar as we are with the particular conditions. An experienced surgeon can treat a child more quickly with fewer stages and with better results than someone who hasn't had vast experience or a large clinical volume.

How many children's plastic surgeons are there in the country?

Surprisingly few plastic surgeons specialize in children. Most plastic surgeons treat some children in their practice, but, in general, the financial incentive to treat adults is greater. There are very few plastic surgeons, probably less than 25 in the whole country, who can say that the majority of their practice is children or that they've had extensive experience with a breadth of pediatric issues. The advantage of being one of the largest groups of pediatric plastic surgeons nationwide is that our surgeons are further divided by subspecialization (i.e. Dr. Urata in major craniofacial reconstruction, Dr. Lewin in ear reconstruction).

How do parents find you?

A majority of patients who come to us are referred by other parents whose children have similar conditions. Parents of children with craniofacial issues meet each other in doctor's offices, community settings, support groups and over the Internet. A number of support organizations have recommended us as well.

How can we know if our physician is an expert in our child's condition?

You can get a sense of whether a physician treats a significant number of children at his or her office. If you see more adults than children in the waiting room, the answer is no. Also, plastic surgeons are trained to take "before and after" pictures of their patients (see our "before and after" pictures). If the physician you are considering can't show you similar conditions with "before and after" results, he or she may not be as familiar with your child's problem as you would like.

Can you put us in touch with other people who have been through a similar experience?

We’d be happy to put you in contact with other families we’ve helped. We believe that sharing the treatment experience can be extremely useful for parents. Your physician should be able to look up a particular condition -- cleft lip, microtia (the absent ear), hemangioma (vascular tumor), breast deformity, or whatever your child's condition is – and give you a list of families you can call. If your physician is unable or unwilling to do so, you may have reason for concern.

We are traveling from out of state. How easy is it to get to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and to stay near there?

It is actually quite easy to come to Los Angeles. It can even be inexpensive. Some airlines have programs that will provide complimentary tickets for children flying to Los Angeles for medical care. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has a large Ronald McDonald House where qualified patients and their families can stay at almost no cost. There are a number of local hotels that give us discounted rates as well.

Other helpful links:
For Patients & Families section
Information on local hotels (hosted on the hospital's main website)

How long will we have to stay in Los Angeles?

Children heal very quickly. In our practice, we see patients who come from out of town on Tuesday night and have surgery the next morning, then we typically see them Friday or Saturday morning before they return home. A day or two after surgery, most children are able to go to Disneyland.

Will my insurance pay for my child's care?

The answer is a resounding "maybe.” Some insurance companies offer full coverage for a wide range of conditions and some do not. Please allow us to assist you in determining your child's eligibility by filling out our contact form. The more information we have prior to your child's appointment, the more efficiently we can serve you.

Will you assist us with obtaining authorization from our insurance companies? And what about other aspects of our stay?

Our staff members assist families in obtaining authorization from their insurance companies. In fact, we provide you with full service from your initial inquiry to your child’s post-operative examinations, including assistance with temporary housing.

Are Saturday consultations possible?

Each of our surgeons has dedicated Saturday appointments and aside from holidays, we typically are open every Saturday

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is a teaching hospital. Does that mean interns and residents will be operating on my child?

Residents do assist with cases, but they are never the primary surgeons. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the pediatric hospital for the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), which brings residents and interns to our campus. Keep in mind that the resident who rotates through our service from USC is usually an individual who not only has earned a medical degree but has completed three to six additional years of general surgery residency and is now about to complete his or her plastic surgery residency.

How many physicians will be involved with my child's care?

For certain problems, we utilize a team of doctors. For instance, cleft lip and palate patients have multiple problems that not only involve their appearance, but can involve their speech, hearing and jaw development. These patients typically are seen by a variety of specialists within the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery and other divisions at Childrens Hospital. We arrange a team evaluation so your child can be seen by all of the necessary specialists on a given morning. This may include genetics or pediatrics, a hearing and speech evaluation, a dental evaluation, orthodontic care or other care relevant to his or her condition.

What is the most appropriate age for my child to have surgery?

When to have surgery depends to some extent on the condition being treated. In general, the earlier we can treat a problem, the better. Young children often have less anxiety and heal better and more quickly than older children.

Will my child be given anesthesia?

Most often, our surgeons use a light form of general anesthesia so children experience less anxiety, which enables the surgeon to take more time and do a better job. All of our anesthesiologists are specialists in working with children and have completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology. Unlike most other hospitals, our pediatric anesthesiologists only treat children every day.

Is anesthesia dangerous in small children?

No. If anesthesia is given by anesthesiologists who specialize in children at a well-equipped hospital, such as Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the risk of anesthesia is minuscule. The chance of sustaining a problem from anesthesia is less than sustaining an injury while driving. Childrens Hospital uses only pediatric anesthesiologists, many of whom were pediatricians before training in anesthesia. It is our experience that young children actually tolerate anesthesia better than older children and adults.