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Ds 3.5yrs needs operation, please talk me through step by step what will happen?

6 replies

DoubleLifeIsALifeOfSorts · 27/12/2013 05:09

He needs an urgent dental op under a gen. Aesthetic, 6-8 teeth out and crowns put in :(

I've had a huge amount of surgery (21ops), but was never treated as a child - hosp I was in had no children's night ward only day, so I was always treated as an adult. Therefore have some pretty awful memories.

So what happens nowadays? Do you still go in the night before? And then take a premed and then I either had gas or a line put in depending on whatever the surgical team preferred?

Held down with black mask going over face, or being told i was making a fuss as needle went in and i could feel a painful cold paralysis creep steadily up my arm and neck and towards my heart as everyone just ignored me waiting for me to be knocked out.

I was wheeled off the ward and down to the theatre in bed, by myself - does this still happen?

They said Id be able to stay the night if needed, but what's it actually like? What are the child's beds like? And do you sleep next to him or camp bed on floor or chair and blanket?

And then recovery room, are parents allowed there to be there as soon as their child comes round? So they're not alone and frightened?

And after, how do they do pain meds? He's a panicker and will not take calpol or even antibiotics by mouth when the pain is in his mouth.

When would they release him? I'm scared it will be same day and the pain killer problem won't have been seen / dealt with and I'll be left with a hysterical terrified child who I can't sooth or make it better. also will he be in hospital when he drinks and ears for the first time? So we can see how much pain he will be in etc,

Last question... How physically demanding is it as the parent? I'm severely disabled so it would be good to know the bits with the most movements / carrying of child / standing up or walking bits...

Info: it will be at guys & st thomas's and either in their specialist paed dental surgery or on the Evelyn/ evalina (?) ward depending on whether there might be risks involved that they checking him out for...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
DesperatelySeekingSanity · 27/12/2013 05:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DoubleLifeIsALifeOfSorts · 27/12/2013 06:07

Thanks. I have a carer who does much of the arms and legs and back stuff for me with Ds, would a hosp let carer help me on the ward? At night it's just me & Ds so everything is arranged so I can use it, like a potty in my bedroom so I don't have to do walking him to bathroom etc. he cosleeps with me if ill as I can't keep lifting him etc.

We have ibruprofen / calpol here already, but was wondering if there's something they give that's stronger? 8 teeth out wont be a walk in the park... Any ideas?

Thsnkyou for your reply

OP posts:
siblingrevelry · 27/12/2013 06:19

Our experience when our 3 year old son had an op under general anaesthetic for his ears was almost identical to the previous post. It's all geared to making DC feel as comfortable as possible.

The only thing I would add is that when he came round and I was brought in to see him, he was like a stunned polar bear for a good hour afterwards, even on the ward. He kept settling down then trying to 'fight' us and getting upset. This is really out of character, but he's a big boy and my DH had to get on the bed and hold him to calm him down. You might find the physicality of this difficult if your DS reacts the same way to the anaesthetic.

Whilst your DS will be catered for, you might want to bring plenty if drinks/fruit/cereal bars etc for you. And something to read when he's asleep! We didn't stay overnight so you may be fortunate too.

Hope it goes well x

DesperatelySeekingSanity · 27/12/2013 06:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeaWheesht · 27/12/2013 06:31

Ds (7) is having an operation in January so I'm watching this thread with interest. His OP is on his stomach and he is to be in and out on the same day.

hazeyjane · 27/12/2013 06:53

My dd (7) had 5 teeth removed under GA and ds (3.5) is to have 4 out in Feb. (they both have reflux and ds has a genetic condition and was born with no enamel on most of his teeth)

With dd (and we have been told the same for ds) it was a day op, nil by mouth from night before, wait on ward for time (usually youngest on ward first).

With dd and ds (when he had an mri) they had magic gel on hand (we now don't do this for ds - as it increases his anxiety) in preparation for cannula.

We went in whilst anaesthetic administered, dh held dds hand (I couldn't be there). With ds I held him on my lap - I did find it upsetting, but the nurse and anaesthetist were very gentle.

Parents wait on ward/coffee shop.

Child wakes up in recovery with nurses, in dds case this was fine - she was very drowsy, and just happy to see us. Ds has sensory issues and severe separation anxiety, so he was pretty upset - but it was ok, and again the nurses were lovely with him (and us).

Painkillers were administered on the ward - dd had paracetemol, ds will have a suppository (and a prescription for home) as he has some problems with swallowing (maybe ask gp before if you can have a prescription).

When dd/ds had recovered (with dd this took a couple of ours) they came home, and were fine, dd had no problems post teeth extraction - obviously ds is a bit of an unknown factor!!

If you have to stay in for any reason - you can usually sleep on a flip out chair, bring in your own camp bed. I have always slept in the hospital bed with ds (he has been in a lot with pneumonia) and nurses have always been fine with this.

Our hospital has good disabled facilities (hopefully this is standard) and any travelling between wards can be done with the help of a porter, wheelchair etc.

Good luck with it allSmile

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