Teenager's Leg Surgery Got Delayed By Thirty Minutes Because The Doctors Were Laughing So Hard At His Pre-Op Artwork

Surgeries are incredibly scary. If you told someone from the past that you were going to cut them open in order to heal them, they would probably either kill you or at least go crazy on you. 

It's such a daunting concept that many people are terrified of it, especially when they know there's a substantial chance it could fail.

This Redditor was asked by his doctor to indicate with a sharpie where they should operate, just to avoid confusion and save time. He decided to go above and beyond and added way too many instructions, which made the doctors lose it for about 30 minutes before they could start the surgery.

Reddit user Dreble decided to tell his story on this Reddit thread

“I had knee surgery as a teenager. The doctor brought me a sharpie, told me to circle the correct knee, and put an ‘X’ on the other; then he left the room. So I did exactly as I was instructed. Then I drew arrows to the circle and wrote ‘Operate here,’ and drew more X’s on the other leg, writing ‘Do not touch.’ I sat there bored for another 30 minutes, writing random stuff all over my body like ‘You can’t have my appendix’ and ‘Why are you looking up here? Focus on the knee.’ I even had my mom write on my back something like ‘If you can read this, you’re on the wrong side. Flip me over.’ Then I covered up with the sheet, and the anesthesiologist showed up. I was told I said some weird stuff while I was going under, but that is a different story. The surgery went fine; I had to stay in the hospital overnight. When the doctor came into my room to check on me, he said that I had thrown off their schedule because when they uncovered me and saw all the notes, they laughed for 10 minutes. When they finally got their composure, they rolled me onto my side to get me onto the operating table and saw the note on my back and lost it again. He said that the surgery started about 30 minutes later than it was supposed to, thanks to my drawings and notes.”

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People had some similar stories that they wanted to share

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"You're doing the wrong one"

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The Role of Humor in Coping Mechanisms

Psychologists have long studied the ways in which humor can serve as a coping mechanism, particularly in stressful situations like medical procedures.

Research from the Journal of Health Psychology highlights that humor can significantly reduce anxiety and improve overall emotional well-being.

In this case, the teenager's artwork likely provided a creative outlet, allowing him to express his fears and anxieties in a light-hearted manner.

It was the last thing he said before he was out

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DONT. LOOK.

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Life was simpler in the 90's

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Interestingly, laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which can create a sense of happiness and relaxation.

Therapeutic humor practices have been shown to enhance patient outcomes, especially in pediatric settings where anxiety is prevalent.

Encouraging patients to engage in creative or humorous expression can be a powerful tool for healthcare providers aiming to ease preoperative stress.

A little misunderstanding

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This doctor doesn't joke around

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The Psychological Impact of Art as Expression

Art therapy is recognized for its profound benefits in allowing individuals to express emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally.

According to research published in the Clinical Psychology Review, engaging in creative activities can lead to improved emotional regulation and resilience.

In this context, the teenager's pre-op artwork not only served to entertain but also provided him with a means to cope with the anxiety of surgery.

Psychological Analysis

This situation illustrates the power of creative expression as a coping mechanism. It's fascinating how humor can transform anxiety into laughter, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for both patients and medical staff.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Incorporating humor and creativity into medical settings can have lasting positive effects on patient experiences.

Studies suggest that these strategies can enhance emotional well-being, particularly in high-stress environments like hospitals.