To ask about what kids' surgery involves?

[Polkapjs]

I’m scared. My child needs an operation and I’m so scared about it. I’m hopefully not passing on my fear and have told him what a lovely sleep I had when I had surgery (true!) but the thought of him going under and nil by mouth when he asks for carbs the second he wakes...help! Hand hold or practical tips welcome please

I had very major surgery when I was a child 50 years ago and all I can remember is being desperate for a cuddle from my mum. I didn't get one as she was not allowed to visit much in those days.
I'm sure he will be much too sleepy to ask for carbs, it will take him some time to come round properly, they normally get sedation, pain killers before they wake up.

It's absolutely understandable to be scared. Two of mine have had surgery and I can reassure you that they are much more resilient than you think! It's you who will be more upset.

The staff will look after your child, they do it every day and are brilliant. They will also look after you. Everything will be fine.

How old is he? I had surgery at 3 and don’t remember a thing!

Staff are usually great and they usually get kids in first with them being nil by mouth. My ds10 was put under a few weeks ago to have some teeth removed. He was put under with gas and air so no needles put in while he was awake and the cannula was removed before he woke. He did not react well to the anesthetic and I did not react well to him vomiting blood afterwards 🤢. He was given lots of pain relief before waking, but it all felt so strange to him that he was saying it hurts repeatedly, when actually it was the local anesthetic that made his mouth feel funny. He rested for three days afterwards and now it's like it never happened! He hadn't slept for two weeks prior because he was worried and he didn't sleep for about four days after due to needing pain relief in the night. As a parent it was heartbreaking to go through with him, but kids soon bounce back.

I forgot to add, I was with him when he went to sleep but not immediately upon waking, I had to stay in the waiting room until they came to get me.

What op is your DC having? My eldest had several ops as a child from 11 months to 11 years old. The important thing is to prepare them for it. Our local library had good books to explain it and I would definitely advise them.

My 5 year old has had 17 general anaesthetics and my older 2 dc have had one each. Feel free to ask me anything. How old is he? Nil by mouth isn't too bad. If they are on the morning list then they have to be there really early so you can usually get them up dressed and off to the hospital before they have realised they are hungry. Afternoon is harder but I find a bath is a good distraction as they wouldn't normally eat in the bath.

How old, and what is he having done? The exact procedure will vary a little depending on these factors, plus the individual surgeon and anaesthetists' preferences on the day.

One parent can go with the child to the anaesthetic room, usually with a nurse or play therapist. You may be asked to hold him on your lap, or sit next to him while he's on the trolley, and distract/comfort him while the anaesthetist either puts in a cannula or uses the mask to get them to sleep. They go very floppy and heavy, and if one your lap, you'll need to put them onto the trolley. Once they're asleep you will leave, and then get called back once they're safely in recovery.

Ah OP it's honestly harder for you then them, I've been on both ends as a mum and as a nurse @SockQueen is quite right, you should be allowed in to see them off to sleep, give them a kiss and you'll be escorted to relatives room. I've had loads of generals, they'll be out quick and thoroughly monitored, once they're out they'll be taken to recovery, once they are awake you'll likely be called in ASAP, parents are vital in recovery, expect them to have a bit of a sore throat ice lollies and ice cream on the ward unless it's surgery that needs the patient to bill nill by mouth after. A bottle of ice cold water would be a good thing to have. It'll be fine xx

*be

What is he having done? Is it major surgery? day surgery?

My DS had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy when he was almost 4. I was worried about the nil by mouth thing but he was so taken with the hospital and what was happening around him that he wasn’t too bothered by the not eating part. The nurse explained to him that he wasn’t allowed to eat as well. There was a boy in the bed opposite (there were 4 waiting to be be taken) and his dad brought out a bottle of water and a packet of crisps. The nurse was apoplectic. Gave him a proper dressing down about how unfair it was to eat and drink in front of mil by mouth children.

DS13 has had several surgeries - a couple of sets of grommets, a tonsillectomy, three ops to help correct hearing loss and a broken bone set.

Each surgery is different and children recover differently - the main thing I learned was that hospitals are incredible at making it as 'easy' for the children as possible, and will do everything in their power to get you all home swiftly and safely. When he had his first op I was all Mary Poppins til he'd been put under (I was allowed into the room where they injected the anaesthetic then escorted out as they went straight into theatre) and it wasn't until I walked back to the ward to wait for him that it hit me, and in all honesty that was the really difficult part, along with the waiting.

The nil by mouth depends on age, I think - I was able to explain why and keep him occupied with books and toys til it was time.

The nil by mouth thing is really not a big deal, after surgery the last thing they want is food.

Obviously its all worrying but I found going into the anaesthetic room and watching them go under was the scariest. Seeing their eyes roll back into their heads so fast, as you hold their hands, was awful.

But as others have said after a short while they will remember almost nothing of the whole experience. So just don't show them you are scared and it will all be fine.

My DC have all had surgery. It was not as bad as I was expecting. Kids recover from the anaesthetic very quickly.

I’m overwhelmed by the support here so thank you. It’s nothing serious. It’s a testicles thing and also circumcision for medical reasons while they’re there. I would not be going for circumcision otherwise (whole other debate there) He’s excited about time off school and knows what’s what and why he’s going but I’m scared about them putting him to sleep. I know I’ll be worse than he is and the staff will be amazing. Just would rather not go. I appreciate that many of you have been through a lot of stuff and this is minor stuff. It’s the anaesthetic that scares me I think. My husband left me at hospital as he was embarrassed by my fear of my general. I was fine once the lovely anaesthetist told me I was more likely to win the lottery than die on him! I’ll try and get a grip.

Definitely worse for the parents. DS had a general anaesthetic aged about 1. It was horrible seeing him go under, seeing the power you/doctors etc have over them.

Nurses were lovely, he was happy enough before hand, but grumpy afterwards and got a post-op fever so had to stay in longer.

Get someone to wait with you when you go back to the ward, and comfort you if you're upset after seeing him go under. It would be scary to be on your own at that point I think. Also try not to worry if it goes on longer than expected.

The consultant is right, the anaesthetic is very very safe. If you are worried you may really fall apart in the anaesthetic room, might it be better if your DH takes him down?

The whole staff were lovely with my DD when she had gromits fitted and her adenoids removed under general anaesthetic when she was 5. They explained everything they would do and put the anaesthetic cream on her hand under a clear plaster first and the anaesthetist drew a smiley face on the plaster then she didn't even feel the needle go in for the general. I was much worse than she was but managed to ho,d it together until she went under but I did sob a bit once she was unconscious. It's scary but you'll do it for him.

My little boy always has something to watch on YouTube/iPlayer when he goes under anaesthetic. I take something to entertain me while he is gone, usually a book and my tablet.

"but I’m scared about them putting him to sleep"

Please don't worry. That is probably the easiest bit. DD has had loads of general anaesthetics. It was difficult to hear her complain that she couldn't eat or drink anything. Also, the last 2 times she had them she was sick afterwards (but they were longer procedures).

Don't be worried, I had surgery at 3 and don't remember any pain or distress, just random things about being in hospital. That was when parents were hardly there. You'll be able to be by his side most of the time. When DS had a small op at age 2 the iPad was a saviour. It distracted him when they had to put the cannula in and when he woke up grumpy from the GA. After a good sleep he was fine! Best of luck.

Thanks all. I’m also stressing about not having enough holidays to take time off work for long enough..

Is it a variocele (where one testicle gets very swollen then goes down again, basically letting fluids into it which shouldn’t be there). If so, DS had that and had it operated on just before his third birthday. It was by far the easiest of the operations he has had. He had a tiny scar (which you could no longer see after a couple of years) and he really didn’t feel any pain. I can’t remember how long he had off nursery though.

I would really recommend the books from the library though and talking your DS through the magic cream then the needle but that it is possible it may be gas etc etc. Then he won’t be freaked by what is going on. We found children’s anaesthetists to be really good with the kids too.

I would also say what an anaesthetist friend said to me when asked about risks. She said the risk is absolutely minimal to people who are otherwise in good health. It is the people who are very poorly to start with for whom the risks are higher.

Good luck, when is it?

Start of December which is quite near and also why I’ve no holiday left to use