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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask what happens when toddlers need a little operation?

47 replies

Bippitybopityboo · 20/05/2018 20:28

I know it's not totally AIBU but it's the only place I know there will be someone who knows.

DS fell today and his bottom tooth has gone through the side of this bottom lip it's quite a big hole at the front.
Took him to the MIU who said he'll need an OP at the local hospital in morning. He can't eat after 12 and we have to be there for 7.

What happens once were there and will we be able to stay with him? He's only 22 months. I'm so worried and upset and I'm 38 weeks pregnant so I think that's making me more upset/emotional about the whole thing.
What happenens when he is put to sleep? that's the part I am dreading it's going to be awful

OP posts:

NemoRocksMyWorld · 20/05/2018 20:31

Depends on the anaesthetist, but usually they put little ones out with a little bit of gas and then cannulate when they are under. They wake up after the op and can go home once they have walked about and eaten and drunk. Good luck. I hope all goes well!

Dumbledoresgirl · 20/05/2018 20:32

You can stay with him whilst he is being anaesthetised. And they will fetch you when he is being brought round. Inbetween times you will have to wait apart from him. But the good news is he won't be aware of the time when you are not with him.

Good luck with it.

Keeptellingmyselfitsaphase · 20/05/2018 20:32

An anaesthetist will come to you and explain all. You can ask everything you need to know. I was 5m pregnant when my son went for grommets. Had to send dh to hold him as i was an emotional wreck. The hospital were brilliant with me and made my partner and i go to the canteen which helped hurry time.

Its awful but i didnt need to worry. Xx

NemoRocksMyWorld · 20/05/2018 20:32

You stay when he is put under and then leave for the op but come back as he wakes in recovery. He won't be aware of you not being there!

Claireshh · 20/05/2018 20:35

I hope all goes well tomorrow. My son was 2 when he had an op. He sat on my knee and the anesthetist helps mask under his chin. When he zonked out the quickly took him off me and popped him in the trolley and ushered me out super fast. It was fine. I really tried to keep calm so that he didn’t pick up on me worrying. I was glad when I was called down to recovery. He bounced back super fast. X

Original poster

Bippitybopityboo · 20/05/2018 20:35

Thank you all that's really reassuring even though I'm a blubbering wreck reading the replies! I definitely think DH will have to do the putting to sleep bit because I don't want to worry DS looking upset when it happens.
I feel so sad for him even though he's oblivious and a total happy chap at the minute!

OP posts:

CremeBrulee · 20/05/2018 20:35

My DD had to have a general anaesthetic for a surgery on her hand when she was a similar age. Your DS will be fine, staff will be sensitive and kind and his treatment will be age appropriate.

Do you know if he is definitely having a general anaesthetic? If so then you will be with him while he has the pre-theatre meds, so he will be nodding off in his bed/trolley and sleepy when he goes off to theatre.

They will tell you as soon as he is in recovery after theatre and you will be allowed in there to be with him immediately.

Try and keep calm, remember that it's a very minor procedure and that DS will take his lead from you, if you are fearful so will he be.

coffeecoffeemorecoffee · 20/05/2018 20:36

My DD had a minor-ish op at 3.5, the children's ward staff were fantastic, really made us at ease, the surgeon came round and explained everything he was going to do in detail, answered any questions, play specialists came round while we waited.

I asked her dad to go through into theatre with her for the anaesthetic because I knew I would fall apart watching her go under. She was absolutely fine, a bit confused when she came round, had a drink and something to eat, vomited all over her dad and then after she had kept food down we went home.

Nothing to worry about

kaytee87 · 20/05/2018 20:39

You should only be apart during the actual op and he won't remember a thing
My wee one is the same age, I'm not even pregnant and I'd be a right state so don't feel silly.
I would say if you're ds primary carer then it might be best for you to be with him when he's being put to sleep. I know ds looks to me for comfort if he's sore or scared xx

NorthStarGrassman · 20/05/2018 20:42

Just a warning, my ds did not like the mask and struggled to get away from it, I had to hold him down a bit but he fell asleep very quickly so it didn’t last long. I cried. The nurse was very kind and told me everyone cries, even the dads Don’t know if this was true or she was trying to make me feel better!

Ds now 10 and can’t remember any of it.

happysunr1se · 20/05/2018 20:42

My dd has had 2 general anaesthetic ops.

First at 3mo and another at 3yrs. Both times I was with her all the way until after the anaesthetic was administered. Both times I held her in my arms while the mask was held to her face.

The first op (hernia repair) was no problem as she was so young. The second time (facial plastic surgery) she was a lot older and fought against us.
we had to restrain her so that was quite unpleasant.

The surgical team were all friendly and understanding of our nervous feelings as parents. After the op both times we were buzzed to come back into the recovery room for when dd was coming round.

Obviously it’s never a nice experience, but the ops were necessary and it’s all over relatively quickly. Good luck tomorrow, I’m sure it will be fine.

Juiceylucy09 · 20/05/2018 20:45

Oh bless him.

I was allowed to bring DD 2 into the theater. We both had gowns on, I cradled her so she was comfortable and so I had a grip on her before the fight. I was allowed to hold the mask on her after it a few seconds then another few and she was gone, like a deep sleep.

The only thing I would say to you is when my DS had surgery they put the Freddy needle for drip in before he was asleep, they done it on DD after it was lots less agro.

User467 · 20/05/2018 20:45

My niece had her tooth out at the age after falling and breaking it. She had anaesthetic but it took about two minutes and she was home by lunch time.

My son had a minor op at 4. We went to day surgery unit, they put the numbing gel on his hand ages before we had to go through. I was with him when they put in the cannula and sent him off to sleep and I couldn't believe how well they did it. He wasn't talking to me and honestly didn't even flinch when they did it. I didn't even realise he'd fallen asleep for a few seconds.

Our unit asks that parents don't leave the area so they can find you as soon as they get to recovery.

My DS took a bit of a reaction to either the anaesthetic or the morphine and was sick after he woke up and couldn't keep anything down by the time day surgery was closing so we had to stay in for the night but most kids were leaving within about an hour of waking. After some anti sickness and some fluids he was absolutely fine by the next day.

As he had to fast I told him I wouldn't eat until he did. Unfortunately with the "don't leave the area" rule and his reaction I didn't actually eat until 5 when a nurse realised and took pity on me! So definitely take some snacks for yourself!

User467 · 20/05/2018 20:46

Was talking to me, not wasn't

Pinkgeorge · 20/05/2018 20:50

My little one had a minor op, he became delirious when emerging from the anaesthetic. Apparently it’s quite common and he settled after an hour but it was frightening as he ripped the cannula from his arm. I wish I had known that this can happen as it was very upsetting.

Original poster

Bippitybopityboo · 20/05/2018 20:53

Thank you. I know it's so minor it just feels like a really big thing because it's happened really quick! Can't wait to have him back once it's all over. The nurse at the MIU rang the hospital who said it will be a GA

OP posts:

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 20/05/2018 20:55

Ah, OP, I know how you feel, but hospital staff are lovely with children generally and little ones especially. DS2 has a minor operation under a general at 22months; They put cream on his arm to numb the site then just injected him with something and he went out like a light in front of me - Never seen anything like it, I laughed in shock then cried! He was fine, as I’m sure your boy will be. It’s natural to be upset though, don’t be too hard on yourself.... good luck

Owletterocks · 20/05/2018 20:55

My dd had an anaesthetic for a minor op when she was 2. They put the numbing cream on her first and sat her on my knee to put the cannula in. They were really good at chatting and distracting her so she didn’t even notice it going in. They gave her anaesthetic through the drip on my knee and then quickly took her off me and put her on the trolley when she went to sleep. She was asleep but rousable when I went to recovery with the nurse to pick her up. She wasn’t aware that I had been gone at all. Good luck for tomorrow, it may be best to let your dh take her to the anaesthetic room if you think you will be emotional as he will pick up on that. Just remember that the staff do this all day, every day, it is totally normal for them and they will have done it hundreds of times before

Silvercatowner · 20/05/2018 21:04

They bounce back amazingly quickly. When my LO (18 months) had an op, I went for a coffee after the anaesthetic. I was called back to the ward to find his cot empty. I panicked - but he had come round and insisted on going to the play room with his Dad. He couldn't walk and was as high as a kite. So sweet.

elliejjtiny · 20/05/2018 21:10

You poor things. My little boy has had loads of operations so I'm kind of an expert. When you get there you will be shown to his bed or cot and a nurse will weigh, measure, take temperature, sats and blood pressure. You get the admissions form to fill in which is all about any medication he is on, family history of blood clotting problems and previous hospital admissions. The anaesthetist and the surgeon will come and see you, talk about whether you want to have cannula or gas anaesthetic, answer any questions and sign consent form. The nurse will put magic cream on both hands with sticky back plastic stuff on both hands if he is having the cannula. I usually bring some Peppa pig plasters to go over the top as ds is more compliant then.

There is a lot of waiting around. If theatre isn't far then sometimes they can go from the ward down to the anaesthetic room on a ride on toy. My ds loves racing down the corridors on a tricycle or car. Some hospitals let 2 parents to in the anaesthetic room and some only allow 1 parent. You will be taken down to the anaesthetic room by a play specialist or nurse. They ask you to confirm your child's name and date of birth. Then they put him to sleep which is the worst bit as my ds always struggles and screams. He will go limp and then you will be asked to put him on the bed if he went to sleep on your lap and kiss him goodbye. The anaesthetist will tell you that he/she will take good care of him.

You can then go and get some food, go to the toilet and then it will be fine to wait outside recovery. They will come and get you when your ds starts to stir and when he is awake he will go back to the ward. They will do his sats, temperature etc a couple of times and after he has had a drink, something to eat and a wee he should be able to go home.

Just shout if you have any questions.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/05/2018 21:11

Be prepared to cry, they go to sleep really quickly and bounce back really quickly, but for me anyway the bit where they go to sleep whilst you are talking to them had me in absolute floods, even though it was only minor and nothing to worry about.

MillyMolly123 · 20/05/2018 21:19

Our lb had a general at 22 months as he needed stitches for a split lip, crossing the vermillion border. They gassed him before the anaesthetic and he didn’t seem at all scared by anything. He was actually singing away throughout!

Within 10 mins of coming round he was bouncing about and trying to do headstands on the hospital bed. We were discharged about 30 mins later and he was absolutely fine.

The worst part was trying to explain to him why he couldn’t have any milk or food beforehand. He screamed blue murder for milk and must’ve thought we were being evil by “starving” him. Pretty sure he’s totally forgotten about it all now, 9 months on. Pretty sure he forgot about it all 10 mins later, in fact!

SeaToSki · 20/05/2018 21:21

If he has a special teddy or blanket, take it. Its nice for them to snuggle it while waiting and sometimes they will take it for them to have in the recovery room when they first come round. They usually wait just a little bit before they bring you in to make sure they dont vomit etc, so you see them when they are still drowsy but not as they first wake up (so a teddy is nice for them at that moment)

OldHag1 · 20/05/2018 21:31

My little one had grommets fitted when she was a toddler. I was allowed to carry her to the operating theatre. I held her whilst they gave her the anaesthetic (neither of us could see as her arm was between my arm and body and I had my back to the anaesthetist) I laid her on the bed and gave her a quick kiss. About half an hour later the consultant came to find me told me how it went and took me back to get her. A nurse was holding her, she was awake and had been crying. As soon as she was handed over she promptly slapped me across the face - hard! She’s ten now and loves to hear this story. They let her go home after some pain killers and after she had eaten something.

Pollaidh · 20/05/2018 21:42

If he needs a General Anaesthetic, then he'll probably go in to a ward in the morning for checks etc. Then you'll get a visit from the surgeon, who may not be the person you've seen before.

For the GA only one of the parents is usually allowed to accompany the child. It's not nice - DH who never cries was in tears. There's nothing nasty in the procedure, it's more seeing them go from being awake to 'switched off', too close to something else, if you see what I mean.

Then you wait, and wait.... It can take longer than expected depending on all sorts of things, so try not to worry.

One parent is called down to the recovery ward when the op is over, to be there when the child wakes up, although if there are emergencies etc with other children, you could find they don't have time to call straight away, so you arrive to an alert DC. But nurses will be there too and most of the paediatric nurses we've met on our many hospital stays have been lovely.

Then you will be wheeled back to the day ward (if it's only day surgery), and will have to stay whilst they observe. There will be frequent checks of breathing, temp, BP etc. Often you can go home with painkillers later in the day (e.g. 5pm after a 10am procedure), but if their temp rises they might want to give antibiotics and keep them in longer.

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