DS operation

[Pookaroo]

Hiya

My 4 year old DS is going in for an operation tomorrow to have his tonsils and adenoids removed as he has obstructive sleep apnea. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or has been through the same surgery and knows what to expect.

Obviously I'm really nervous and to make thing more challenging DS has autism, GGD And a communication/speech delay, so I can't even explain to him what's going to happen.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

I don't have any experience of adenoids, just tonsils but that was when I was a child and I'm sure it's changed now.
I do however have quite a bit of experience with my dc having generally anaesthetic. They will weigh and measure your ds and put some cream on the back of 1 hand (usually under a plaster) which will numb his hand, this makes putting his cannula in painless. They will often let your ds sit on your lap when they do this. I found that a combination of this and headphones with a tablet help to distract my ds (has asd ).
We also call the cannula a butterfly as it looks a bit like 1 when the plaster that holds it in place is on.
When it comes time for the general many hospitals will let you come into the room right before the theatre so you can hold them whilst they give him the sedative, which works really quickly, ds will then go into surgery and you wait.
I suggest that you ask how long it will take so you can go get a coffee and try not to worry, maybe bring a book or something to distract yourself.
After the surgery you should be allowed in recovery so that you are there when he wakes up. Don't worry if he's groggy or sleepy for the rest of the day it's very common.
Good luck and try to remain calm (atleast on the outside)