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

Some pre-op nerves show up in strange ways, but this teenager took things in a very different direction. Instead of just marking the spot for surgery, he turned his leg into a full-on joke, and the doctors could barely keep it together. He decided to add a lot more than that, and the result was a thirty-minute delay while the medical team laughed at his artwork.

Now the internet is weighing in on the funniest part of the whole thing, the drawing itself or the fact that it worked so well.

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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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.

This also echoes the 27-year-old who chose graphic design over her parents’ medicine expectations, then questioned if she was too harsh.

Choosing Graphic Design Over Medicine: Standing Up to Parents Expectations at 27F

A little misunderstanding

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This doctor doesn't joke around

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

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.

The recent incident where a teenager's leg surgery was delayed by thirty minutes due to the doctors' laughter over his pre-operative artwork highlights the profound impact that humor and creativity can have in medical settings. This amusing turn of events not only lightened the mood but also underscored the importance of emotional well-being in high-stress environments like hospitals. By embracing such moments, medical professionals can transform anxiety-ridden experiences into ones filled with joy, ultimately benefiting both patients and staff alike.

Before you judge the laughing doctors, read how OP refused to attend her mom’s surgery for mental health. Refusing to Attend Mothers Surgery Due to Mental Health: AITA?