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Children's health

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Original poster

Worried about DD having operation :-(

11 replies

lucywiltshire · 31/05/2013 22:57

DD (3.5yrs) is having an operation this Monday, to remove what we hope is just a lump of fatty gristle and nothing more sinister (scans appear to show it isn't a tumour). She will be having a general anaesthetic and I am terrified. Thinking about it makes me want to cry, she is so little and the thought of her being wheeled away to the operating theatre without me and then coming around afterwards without Mummy or Daddy there (don't think we will be allowed in recovery room but not sure). Not looking for advice just wondering if anyone else has had same concerns as me and if so, what they did to make things as ok as possible for their DC xx

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Bluebell99 · 31/05/2013 23:05

When my dd had an operation, I accompanied her into the theatre and stayed with her until she went under with the anaesthetic. They were really good with her. She took her Jellycat rabbit with her, and 'treacle' was given a wrist band with name :) and when my dd woke up the rabbit also had a matching bandage :). They called as soon as she came round and I was able to be with her.

PollyPlummer · 31/05/2013 23:11

Have they told you that you wont be able to go in to recovery to meet her ?
We did with Ds - he was 18 months, he didn't wake up till I picked him up and cuddled him. I sat down on a big wheel chair and someone pushed me back to the ward.
I also went in to theatre with him, he was given gas to put him to sleep as they thought doing the iv when he was awake would be too much for him. It took seconds and didn't upset him at all - everyone was really nice and made me feel like he was in safe hands.
He was really hungry when he woke up, we ended up giving him food almost straight away. I would take snacks of favourite foods for her if you can.

We spent the morning playing and watching cbeebies, the ward had free tv so we didn't have a chance to get bored or think about it too much.

Fuckwittery · 31/05/2013 23:12

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PollyPlummer · 31/05/2013 23:15

Sorry should have said, a nurse told us to give him food afterwards, usually you have to wait for an hour but he was crying so much that he would have made himself sick anyway - he devoured everything we brought with us.

RachelHRD · 31/05/2013 23:15

My DD (3) had a grand total of 7 operations under GA before she was 2 so I can totally understand how you are feeling.

One parent is usually allowed into the anaesthesia room and I was able to cuddle DD and occasionally hold her whilst they're put her under. As she was so little they just held the tube near her nose - when my DS (5) had a GA last year he had a little mask. You then wait with them whilst they'll drift off - occasionally they may fight it a bit but don't be alarmed that is normal.

At DD's hospital we were given a pager whilst she was in theatre and they paged us when she went into recovery and one of us was allowed to go in to see her. I could always hear her as I approached the theatre as she'd be crying for food! They can be upset and disoriented but the effects of the GA tend to wear off reasonably quickly.

Big hugs - it's not a nice experience - but with both of mine I was the one more upset than they were and they both bounced back really quickly.

Will be thinking of you.

Original poster

lucywiltshire · 31/05/2013 23:17

Thanks very much ladies. I assume the nurses will not think I am a fruitloop when I am a blubbering wreck! I haven't been told that I won't be able to go into recovery so DD sees me when she wakes up but I am assuming I won't. I have watched too much Grey's Anatomy and feel I am being a bit dramatic about it all!

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NaturalBaby · 31/05/2013 23:23

My 2yr old had an operation a few months ago. The only way I got through it was to not think about it and just deal with the present and focus on him. I was with him till he was out of it with the gas and did have to wait upstairs till he'd come round enough in recovery - that was tough because I knew he'd be alone with strangers and very confused but there was nothing I could do apart from give him a massive cuddle as soon as i got to him. He'd been awake for a few minutes and a nurse was holding him, ignoring his comforter on his bed which I'd left for him! He then got to chill out with the t.v on and sensory lights with me and he was back to his normal self very quickly.

Fuckwittery · 01/06/2013 08:14

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Asheth · 01/06/2013 18:59

My DS had an operation that sounds very simialr to the one your DD is having at the same age. It was a cyst on his fore head. I wont tell you not to worry, because I know I didn't sleep for a week before DS had his operation! But it is a very minor operation. Hopefully as she's so young you wont be kept waiting for too long - DS was the first one down. Ask any questions to want to and don't worry about being 'stupid'. The staff are used to anxious parents and will want to reassure you!

Don't panic if the operation takes longer than you expect. It doesn't mean everythings gone wrong! In our case it was that the lump was very well welded onto his skull and the very careful surgeon spent a long time prising it away. So take something to do while she's being operated on, even if it's just a magazine to cry behind!

Even when she comes round in the recovery room she will still be very woozy so probably wont worry that you're not there. DS was still quite dopey when he came back to the ward and didn't really show any emotion on seeing us or any of his presents. The hospital will give you snacks, but good to take your own as well.

Have they said how long you'll be in for? DS came home about an hour after coming back from surgery. And was pretty well back to normal straight away, other than being a bit sleepier than normal for a couple of days. A few years on there is virtually no scar - you have to know it's there to see it.

Original poster

lucywiltshire · 01/06/2013 23:48

Asheth that helps lots so thanks. I was looking at her perfect skin after her bath tonight and feeling so sad that she'll be scarred but if scars fade then that cheers me up. We have been reading Peppa goes to Hospital to her which is actually about Peppa visiting Pedro Pony in hospital and have bought her a cuddly Pedro which we will give her in hospital. I am hoping that will cheer her up.

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bruffin · 02/06/2013 00:10

My dd had to have a skin graft for a burn on her hand when she was 2. The worst bit was when she was put under as she struggled a bit, but was fine when she came round. It was on boxing day and have a lovely photo of her in a fairly costume she got for christmas with her arm in a cast and her thigh in a bandage to her kneww. DD was only in for a day. She is 15 now and still has a scar on her hand but it has faded and doesnt bother her, though i think she gets asked about it sometimes. She will have another op under general in July to remove an impacted tooth. Trying to not think about that at the moment.

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