DS having a GA next week.

[ImFree2doasiwant]

He's 5, minor OP. I'm dreading it, I've had a lot of stress and anxiety recently and am worried that I'm going to get upset. (Very tearful atm) Obviously I'm going to try really hard to keep it together for him (and am usually pretty good at it)

How long will it take? I'm assuming it will be seconds from him having it to "going under"

And, what can I expect when he comes round and the next few days? I know I felt shocking after the 2 times I had it.

It's v quick usually. I managed to tell them last time "it's not working..."

He might be tired or grumpy, he might be fine. I ping awake after a GA, and demand food but am then wired for 2 days and can't sleep

Thanks. Id rather be having it myself, than have to watch ds go through it.

I was just chatting to DD about when she had one around that age. Afterwards coming around she was pretty disoriented and got a bit distressed so they got me to hold her on my lap which helped. She then went back to sleep for a while and was better after that. They didn't let us go in with her for the GA itself as parents often don't react well to seeing it. That was a bit of a shock for me.
She's had another since and that was fine and is possibly going to have another to repair ligament damage after a recent injury next month. I still have the same sense of dread even though she's now 17!

I have a very very anxious DD (6). She needed some very minor dental work doing but as she's so uncooperative they decided on a GA. I was dreading it, thought she would be so difficult. She kicks drs etc that get near her. I had sleepless nights about it honestly. Turned out she was absolutely fine. We went to the anaesthetic room and they gave her an iPad. They held a mask below her face and she fell asleep as she drew on the iPad, no dramas, no crying and no anxiety. She literally fell asleep mid draw. They had warned me that she might become restless as she fell asleep but she didn't at all.

When they came to collect me to see her in recovery i found her sat up in the bed talking to the nurse next to her. She had a nap on the way home but then went out to play in the garden straight after.

OP I was so worried for her but they are specialists at dealing with children. I really needn't have worried. I hope all goes well.

Sympathies op. My dc are 25 and 21 now and I'd probably feel the same as you!

I've had various ga over the years and I think the drugs they use are getting better and better; less and less side effects. It will also depend on how long he's under for and how the actual after effects of the op will make him feel.

Have you had good communication from the surgeon's team?

My son had a GA for a minor op at just before age 3. If they put them under with gas it is fairly distressing as they thrash around for maybe 10 seconds. Recovery probably depends on what the op is.

@Houseplantmad I was told at the initial pre op (just before lockdown, 1st OP was cancelled) that if be there with him. I do think he's be much happier with that.

@boredinthouse he's going to have an injection, they've talked us through the special cream, and that he can sir on my lap with his arm round my back so he can't see them doing it.

@tobee yes, he had an appointment for his pre op which was very good, informative, but then the OP was cancelled as it was scheduled for the 1st week of lock diwn in March. We have a telephone call tomorrow.

They preferred to use an injection with DD but couldn't find a vein.

It's very quick and after they can't remember much. If he's very worried they may consider a pre med.
Keep a stiff upper lip if needed and have a cry and coffee while he's under if needed.
After depends on individual child I have one who sleeps it off then next day is fine, one who dances around the ward with a vomit bowl on head half an hour after and a third dc who thrashes around then sleeps it off. Next day they've all been fine from a ga point of view.
Hope all goes well.

My DS had to have regular procedures under GA several times a year from age 4. I wont pretend it was nice, but it wasn't as bad as you might think either. The staff are used to anxious children (and parents!) and do everything they can to make things as quick and easy as possible. The best piece of advice I can give is to try to be positive with your child and tell the truth in simple terms. Once there was a boy in the bed next to my DS whose parents hadn't told him anything at all about where they were going and why and he was extremely distressed when he discovered what was going on. Better to be open and as calm as possible in my experience.
For me the worst bit is the fasting, especially if your child goes down later on in the day, so take a few books or toys - maybe something new - to keep him distracted. Children's wards usually have loads of toys but with Covid-19 there might not be, so I would take your own.
Good luck, i hope it all goes smoothly.

Dont have a coffee!! You'll be sent back to the waiting area, where other children will be waiting and they'll be fasting. Dont eat or drink infront of them. There will be lots of signs asking you not to.

But back to your post. It's so quick. My son went from "aaaah" to "zzzz" fadter than I could say anything to comfort him and they dont remember it after. But you cannot get upset. If you start getting upset, they will think there is something to be scared of. Fall apart when you get home if you need to but do not get upset infront of them. You be the strong one.

Thank you. We have a new lego set ready, and I'll put a few other things together. We have to be there at lunchtime, and its a bit of a drive so the morning should be easy enough wrt fasting.

Ds is all about the detail, and although can be anxious and easily upset, is much better if he knows what's going on, and if I'm there to be matter of fact. He will want to tell all and sundry everything in minute detail once it's done.

The only thing that's concerning is when the meds kick in their eyes roll back and they just flop, no one told me that the first time my dc had ga, I'm pretty laid back but jesus, was not prepared for that. I now know to keep myself cheek to cheek with them and to not look while the amazing nurses work their magic.

@WhereverIGoddamnLike thanks, I'm usually really good at being his confidence iyswim. He takes it from me, and will be fine. I've just had a really tough time and am very emotional atm. But I think if it's that quick, it will be ok.

@TheCanyon i had read that somewhere, good tip about being cheek to cheek, thank you.

DS had one at 5 for an eye op. Don't remember it being traumatic putting him under - remember to act being very cheerful and reassuring even though you're not feeling it.

I remember it took him a long time to come properly round. They bought him back to ward and he was groggy and then fell asleep for hours. All the other kids woke up and went home, I was discussing that I might have to get DH to bring me my overnight things so we could stay the night. He did eventually come to, eat the toast and have a wee ( requirements) and we left early evening. He's always been a good solid sleeper. They take as long as they take.

Ds1 had umpteen GAs at that age. He was a bit sick after the first one but they always gave him anti sickness meds after that and he was fine.

The going to sleep bit was no problem for him, but its always hard for you seeing them suddenly flop. The waking up bit was also fine after the first time - no lasting effects once he'd come round properly.

Ds2 had a GA aged 6 just before lockdown. He's an anxious child but it was very easy - the staff are such pros that they guide them through it no bother. He was high as a kite when he came round - v funny. Again, no lasting effects.

It will be ok - you will be ok too.

My son has had a few GAs . He always enjoyed the banter with the anaesthetist. My son was even given the opportunity to administer his own anaesthetic..try and make it a fun experience.X

Hope the phone call goes well op. Maybe note down a few questions you might have beforehand?

My 7 year old has had 21 general anaesthetics. I'm not sure if it's different now with covid as next week it will have been a year since he last had one (this is the first time he has gone this long without a general anaesthetic since he was born so we are quite excited!).

Injection is normally quite quick. The anaesthetist takes off the magic cream and puts the cannula in first, then when they put the anaesthetic in the cannula it works within a few seconds. I find if ds sits on my lap with his arm out of sight behind us then the anaesthetist can do it without him protesting. It's a good idea to let him choose a tv programme on a tablet or a story beforehand so you have something to distract him with while they are doing the cannula.

Children recover a lot quicker than adults. My son is always really hungry although he also usually throws up after eating anything at first. He is usually a bit groggy for half an hour or so after a minor op and then he is up and wanting to play.

Pain relief is usually sugar free, own brand and tastes awful so you might want to bring in your own calpol and neurofen if your ds would prefer that.

I find my ds is more clingy for a little while after a general anaesthetic and he doesn't sleep very well for about a week.

Hope that helps, any questions, just shout.

@elliejjtiny thank you, your son sounds like a pro at this.

I'll add more Calpol to my online shopping. Sound silly but I'm really hoping he's not sick,.