While it’s tough to see your child go through surgery, the providers at Providence Swedish go to great lengths to make sure kids stay comfortable before, during and after procedures. Pediatric surgeons perform a wide variety of surgeries, with two of the most common being appendectomies and hernia surgeries. “There’s really a broad range of things, from chest wall abnormalities, to lumps and bumps, you name it,” said Dr. Rob Weinsheimer, pediatric surgeon at Providence Swedish. “It’s really broad, which is part of the rewarding part of the specialty.” One of the exciting aspects of the evolution of surgery for Dr. Weinsheimer has been the focus on trying to decrease the invasiveness of surgery. This means keeping incisions small so kids heal faster and can get back to activities sooner. These surgeries use laparoscopic instruments designed specifically for children. In addition to less invasive procedures, the team at Swedish also focuses on improving the mental aspects of surgery for kids. “The day of surgery we really have a team approach that is focused on having kids relax and be calm and be stress free,” Dr. Weinsheimer said. Child life specialists make the hospital experience as fun as possible for kids, and this often includes a stuffed animal with custom scents and a mask. The team also wants to make surgery a seamless experience for families. The specialty office is set up so patients can stay in the same room and see multiple specialists. “It’s really collaborative,” Dr. Weinsheimer said. “It’s a very close-knit group, so that makes it really fun.” Get more information about the expert pediatric surgical team at Swedish on the Providence Swedish website. Sponsored by Providence Swedish. Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.