Speed of recovery from day surgery in children?

[singersgirl]

DS1 (nearly 7) has day surgery tomorrow to remove a cyst on his cheek. It's a light general anaesthetic plus a local. Any experience of reactions after light generals? DH is away and of course I'm scared!

[Laylasmum]

Of course any one of any age can have a reaction to any type of medication anaesthetic included but in my experience the lentgh of time the anaesthetic will be given for is very short so the recovery is generally quicker. Kids generally recover quicker than adults do anyway from most hings. the staff will want him to be up and around to have eaten and been to loo etc anyway before they let you home HTH

[Blu]

DS had a series of general aneasthetics (and the first one was for a 5 hour op, so presumably not 'light', whatever that means) when he was little, and recovered instantaneously from all of them. The aneasthetics are v well balanced and sphisticated now, you don't get that post op throwing up that used to be so common.

He will probably come round thirsty, and hungry having been starved beforehand, so have plenty of non-fizzy drinks for him, amd some light nutritious food that he likes, sandwich, yogurt etc. They don't usually provide food in day surgery, and you won't want to leave him to go to the canteen / cafe. (where the food will almost certainly be revolting and v expensive ).

Hope it goes well Singersgirl - I always found the aneasthetic process v upsetting - leaving them unconscious - but the ordeal was all mine, not DS's, and it will be over before you know it.

[kcemum]

DD3 has recently had a light general anaethetic and I can honestly say that the worst bit for her was the starving. From collecting her from the recovery room to being up, about, eaten and drinking took approx an hour- she went to theatre at 9am and was discharged home at 11.15 and has not had any problems since.

[singersgirl]

Thanks for responses, everyone! DS1 did have a short operation as a baby, but he was only 3 weeks, so don't know how he felt. I've warned him he might feel a bit funny afterwards and he said: "I might not recognise you, Mummy, because everything might be a bit unfocused". Bless! Thanks for tips about drinks and food - will remember to pack him some sarnies. Will let you know how it goes.

[SueW]

I disagree about the post-op throwing up - DD suffered badly from it with her first three general anaesthetics and no-one thought to mention to us in recovery that it could be avoided.

On her fourth, she asked me to tell the Anaesthetist she didn't want to have an anaesthetic cos it made her sick. Simple, says the A, we'll just add something to the cocktail. Voila. No throwing up.

The hospitals we've been in (three) have all had toast available for post-op.

Hope it goes well.

[Blu]

Toast?! On the NHS?? Talk about a postcode lottery! .

LOL Singersgirl re "I might not recognise you'. I hope it goes well - good luck.

[singersgirl]

Quick update - DS1 was fine, came round in the recovery room chatting drunkenly about Star Wars and Dr Who, cried a bit, and then an hour later sat up and ate all the sarnies I'd brought.
Thanks to those who responded!

[Blu]

Phew! REALLY pleased it went so well, and that he recovered well. LOL re Star Wars! And did he not recognise you or was he able to focus after all?

Hope any soreness clears up quickly for him.