Howdy Ann!

The only real PAIN involved is a sore throat for about a half-a-week or so
after the surgery. (That's because they stick a breathing tube down your
throat and then bend your neck so that your head is resting on the right
shoulder.)

See my VNS info site:
http://www.howdydave.com/vns.html

Abt. 2 years, eh?  Well then... he may have a problem when they make the
initial adjustments to the VNS programming.

There will be some VERY uncomfortable, maybe even painful (depending on how
you define "pain") sensations that he has never felt before. These are all
in the throat. The body becomes acclamated to it and eventually he won't
even feel it.

BUT

If we're talking true mental capacity of a 2 year old I see some real
possibilities that he will be absolutely terrified, maybe even TRAUMATIZED
by the incidents.

Although I am not a doctor, I personally wouldn't advise putting the VNS
implant into anybody unless you could be absoultely sure that they
understood what was going on.

Another risk... once the device is implanted he may start picking at the
device and/or the wire lead going through the chest from the implant to the
throat.

If there is some way that you can make SURE that he understands exactly what
is going to happen and how it is going to hurt (probably the only word in
his vocabulary that will address the sensation) when he goes to see the
doctor, then I'd say go for it!

I know of a girl with the mental capacity of a 3 year old (26 years old) who
absolutely refuses to go into a doctors office (not even the waiting room)
because a dentist "hurt her" once.

2 years old. Any information on how your surgery went etc. would be greatly
appreciated.  We are considered about the pain involved, whether you feel
that it was worth it and so on. You are right to pray for his guidance in
your decision to move, even if you don't get your answer you will feel
better.