My son was nine when I had mine done too. Every situation is different of course.... But I had him involved from day one. He went to a couple of appointments, I showed him what the surgery was online, and we talked about it endlessly. Mostly we focused on the end result, Mom being able to play and ride the rollercoasters and waterslides and just be fun in general He also understood that it was surgery, and there are risks, but that sometimes we have to take risks to live a better life. After my surgery he has measured me with hugs around my waist lol, about once a week he hugs me tight around the middle...in the beginning, his fingers would not touch, now his hands over lap onto his arms halfway to his elbows!