DD's first ever operation - I need some reassurance from wise MNers

[Gladiatrix]

That's it really - DD (age 4) is having grommets/adenoids out under general anaesthetic on Thursday and I am really nervous (she is not, doesn't really understand what will be happening). Any tips or reassurance? Should I take a book to read to distract me while it's happening? What questions to ask at the pre-op consultation (tomorrow)? Can I have stiff whisky afterwards?

Take a book or anything else to distract you while she is in theatre, if possible take someone else with you.

Have tissues in your pocket when you come out of the anaesthetic room, you will most likely need them!

Try to get a clear idea about how long they expect the procedure to take, but be prepared that it may be longer than that before you are called to recovery room and that time will go verryyyyyy slowly!

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately DH won't be able to attend so it will just be me. Here's hoping that time goes by quicker than I think.

It always takes longer than they say, so don't panic when they take her in late and run over their estimated time.

When she goes to sleep she may get very floppy quite suddenly (mid verse of a song if she's like my DD!) so if she's on your knee or you're supporting her be aware you may need a quick catch reflex .

They will bundle you out of the anaesthetic room very fast whilst fussing over her once she goes over, that is completely normal although it seems odd the first time you see it. Sometimes they can do a couple of odd twitchy movements as they fall asleep, again totally normal although it probably won't happen.

She may be able to cuddle a special toy in the anaesthetic room which in a lot of places they will hang onto and pop back in her arms before she wakes up so make sue you bring one.

When she does wake up she may be a bit fuddled or weepy or very VERY angry about everything including the colour of the curtains. It's a completely normal side effect of the gas and wears off after an hour or so.

Try not to worry, planned ops like this are incredibly safe. I've lost count of the number of anaesthetics my DD has had now and although it's not nice for the parent as far as they're concerned it's not bad at all. I wasn't ever very good at reading while waiting but a trip to the cafe for some sweet tea and a chat to someone, even on the phone worked wonders.

Wishing you all the best, it's a horrid thing but it'll probably go way faster and better than you're expecting.

Good luck, it's not easy seeing them anaesthetised but you have to be strong for their sake. When my DS came around and I was allowed to pick him up it was like being handed him for the first time again.

Prepare yourself for the anasthtic kicking in. As a pp has said they go floppy very quickly and suddenly and I almost dropped ds as he was on my knee.

Ds made a sound when he went under and his eyes rolled back but didn't close. This is normal so don't panic if it happens.

Take a tissue for when you leave the room and definitely take something to distract yourself. Do u have family/friend that could go with you?

In recovery ds was very groggy but acting strangley which was quite funny. But he couldn't sit up and kept flopping about.

I would second taking something to pass the time while she's in theatre. And being prepared that it will take longer than they say.

I tried to prepare DD (she was around 2 for both hers though, so quite a bit younger) but it didn't seem to help, but it's hard to know! They say if they're 3, tell them 3 days before; so a day for each year.

I found that for my DD, she bounced back after the op very quickly (within a couple of hours) but her sleep wasn't great for a week or so after, but that may just be her and her situations. I also felt very very 'antsy' after my GA recently, but again that might have been exhaustion and stress due to the circumstances.

Good luck, it'll be fine! DS had to have general recently and the worst bit other than the taking him in was having to tell him he couldn't eat anything... He was v sleepy when he came back, took ages to actually wake him. Have some treats handy for then. I would also take some favourite DVDs in cos children's wards are likely to have players and those will distract her beforehand. As has been said, they just flop into sleep very quickly. They will let you hold her on your lap or similar while they put her under.

Good luck, I'm sure you will both be fine. Second the suggestion to take some tissues for when they take her into the anaesthetic room/ kick you out of there. My DS was taken off us to be anaesthetised (he was 5 months) so I didn't see him go under but handing him over was heartbreaking. It does feel like they are gone for a long time, get someone to give you a decent estimate and ask as many questions as you like before hand/during/after

Yes take tissues for coming out of the anaesthetic room, ds1 had a very very minor ga to stitch up a wound, it was all well and good until we got to the little room.

Then I saw all the drugs and (frankly massive) needles set out in little cardboard trays, ds1 was absolutely fine, but seeing all if that and him drifting off had me a little but erm woozy tbh. I also cried when walking away, just a reaction to seeing him anaesthetized I think.

His op only took 45 mins, so I went for a walk and a fag cup of tea, you could do the same, I doubt you will be able to concentrate on a book.

Good luck to you both, I'm sure it will be fine, also ds had emla cream on both hands and arms, so even the venflon didn't hurt.

Hi op my ds had it done last year when he was 3.
We had a book about going to hospital which we read for a week before hand and a new medical kit that we played with a bit.
It was mostly fine, duh had to stay in with him as I was bf the baby at the time and couldn't stay overnight. Will you get to go home the same day?
If not make sure you have something comfy to sleep in and plenty of food.
The week after was rough but he had his tonsils out too so think that makes them grumpier. Lots of calpol neurofen and patience :)

Echo what Farlo said. The anaesthetic and leaving them is the worst bit but she will be fine as will you. My DD(2) has had 7 GA's so far and each time I have left her I have sobbed (it doesn't get easier) but she has been fine after them. At our hospital they give you a pager for when you can come and see them. DH and I usually sit in the cafe staring into space whilst we wait.

Big hugs, it's horrible but it will make a big difference - friends DS had it and his hearing is so much better xx

Thank you for all your kind words and helpful tips.

And don't trust anything will be as they tell you! Nothing bad - just we were told DD would go under with gas so talked to her about that until she was prepared and on the day she had a cannula and no talk of special cream and butterflies on her hand could get her past "you said I would have a mask!"
Ditto the ceebies that was supposed to be in her room- on the day not working. Luckily I had brought lots of craft stuff and books. And there was no wifi as promised in this BUPA hotel hospital so I was left bereft while she was in theatre.

Afterwards she ate all of my lunch as well as hers - so pack food!

Definitely don't look too closely at what's in the anaesthetic room (as duckypoos said), they had bubbles to entertain DD, focus on that!

My Ds has had grommets twice - last time he also had his adenoids out .

First time he was 5 and he was prety 'cool' about it . He went under anaesthetic with gas - it was awful for me and I was in tears .That was the worst bit > The procedure was about 20 mins but he was a right grump afterwards and was in alot of pain but he soon was OK .

He was back at school next day.

The second time I was more prepared for the anaesthetic - procedure for reinsertion of grommets and removal of adenoids didn't take long and he was far better post op. He did have a week off school - advised after adenoids removal (two weeks for tonsils) so if you have childcare issues then get the time off work . So do ask about that at your pre op consultation.

The staff are all geared up for the children and usually let them play walk about right up until time for their op .

When your DD actually goes in and you wander off for a coffee and wander back then it will soon be over .

Just bumping this thread with an update after DD's operation. It all went OK. As you all said, the whole thing took a lot longer than they originally told me but I wasn't too worried. Distracted myself by getting a coffee from the hospital shop and then reading a magazine cover to cover.

The worst bit was going to see her in the recovery room and there was a fair bit of blood smeared over her face and hands (I think she'd tried to wipe blood off her nose) and she was crying and all hooked up to monitoring equipment. :( But she quickly calmed down when I arrived (with her teddy bear) and the lovely nurse told me to get into bed with her and cuddle until she felt better.

We were finally discharged in mid-afternoon. I was really glad to get out of hospital, and was absolutely exhausted that evening (emotionally drained, plus I slept really badly the night before).

Anyway, glad it's all over and thanks again for all your tips and reassurance.

Really pleased she's doing ok glad and that you both came through it ok hope she has a fast recovery time.

So pleased it went well thanks for updating!