Dd having a bead taken out of her ear tomorrow what do I need to take?

[6timesthemess]

My dd (6) has a bead stuck in her ear - which apparently has been there for some time .
They tried to remove it but couldn’t so need to do a general anaesthetic to get it out tomorrow. We have got to be in the children’s ward for 7:30am but I’m a bit lost as to what to expect.

What should she wear?how long will we have to stay at the hospital for ?

I’m a little stressed and any advice would be appreciated !

She’ll probably be given a hospital gown to wear to theatre. Have you to arrive with her already fasted? I’d imagine you’re on morning theatre list if arriving that early so hopefully you’ll only need to stay 4 hours or so after theatre all being well. They’ll want to make sure your daughter is ok after anaesthetic, eating and drinking etc before they send you home.

I wouldn’t take too much, few favourite toys and maybe iPad. Perhaps some favourite snacks for after theatre but ward should provide basics (sandwiches, juice etc). Food and bottle water for yourself might be a plan so you don’t have to leave to find canteen.

Lightweight fleece blanket for your dd or you. Every hospital I've been in is freezing!

Charger for your phone.

Big bag or tote you can just sweep any valuables in and take with you if you're accompanying her to where she'll be given anaesthetic. Don't leave valuables in the cupboard or on the bed.

Ds has had grommets three times which I imagine is similar timings.
I assume you've been told when to stop food.
Be prepared for a long wait. She's not going to be urgent, with grommets they seem to do it roughly age order. When ds was 6yo we had to be on the ward by 8am, op was done at 2pm.
She may wake up without you there. In our hospital they like them to come to properly without the complication of parents in case of issues.
Ds has always been home that night, even though he seems to be bad with GA and takes ages to properly come out. Other children that went in after him are usually bouncing off the walls while he is still not up to doing anything.
They like them to have (stopped being sick in ds' case)have eaten, drunk something walked around and been to the toilet.
They'll also want to do checks like blood pressure from time to time. Usually with what looks like a peg to stick on finger. May need to be a toe is she's small.

Take favourite soft toy for afterwards, nice pyjamas (ours lets them wear that rathe than a gown), perhaps a book to read (Usborne's going to hospital is about an ear op) and I usually take a present to open when they're recovering.

Warn her she may have pain in her ear when she wakes up. They will have calpol etc if needed. You'd be surprised how many parents say "this op is to make your ear better" and then the child goes to sleep feeling fine and wakes up with a sore ear and is very cross with the parent who has told a "lie". Seen that each time ds has been in for grommets.

If she's nervous, ask about play therapy when you arrive. If she's not scared, just make it into an adventure for her.