After effects of GA on 3 yr old?

[jaffajiffy]

DS (3) needs a GA on Tuesday to properly clean and stitch a cut above his eye. It’s pretty deep and will take half an hour. We will be on the list but won’t know when it will be as no doubt they prioritise by need. They said we will not be in overnight. It’s not infected or especially painful, and he’s pretty sparky all things considered. Little trooper

First world problem, I know, but he has an assessment at our top choice pre prep on Wednesday at 1pm. Can anyone advise how he might be? Should we expect a full recovery? Should we be cancelling the assessment? Just be letting them know?

Thanks in advance. We will of course do whatever hcp advise on Tuesday but wondered if others had experience.

The biggest advice is make it quick. They will prep him with teddies and showing how to use the mask etc. My dd was fine with the idea and all the practise, but when we got in to use the mask she didn't like the smell of the gas and wouldn't put the mask on. And in the end I held her tight and held the mask in while I sang to her. She only fought for about 6 seconds before falling asleep.

My friend is an anaesthetist and she tells me all the time how many parents try to bribe, plead, persuade and can waste up to 45 minutes before they finally give in and end up holding them, it is traumatic for all involved. If it looks like they won't cooperate don't drag it out. Just get it done.

As for afterwards, by dd woke up a bit distressed, but only because she didn't realise it was all over! Once she understood that it was fine. She did throw up, but she had adenoids out so the blood dripping down her throat was most likely the culprit not the anaesthetic. Take spare pyjamas just in case.

Finally, just be honest and bright and breezy. Don't lie, just use positive words where possible and it will be over so fast. Big hug for you, it is scary for us, but it's good for them to learn how sometimes we have to do things that aren't hat nice for the greater good. My dd is now 3 years past this and had to go to a and e for a deep cut. When they discussed possible anaesthetic, she was like, I did that before! I don't like the smell but it's ok.

In regards to the school assignment- Let the school know - he maybe more clingy the next day or groggy especially after an GA. They should offer you a different time, if they are only doing one day then let them know in case he does not separate etc.

I would ask the school to postpone it if possible.

Some children are bouncing round within half an hour of coming out of recovery. My ds takes about 3-4 hours to get past the flopping in bed stage and is definitely not right for a couple of days afterwards.

I would reschedule the school thing.

He's 3. What exactly will the assessment be ? If he was a teenager and about to sit a 2 hour exam it may be different.

He will be fine.

Thank you for your thoughts and experiences. It sounds like we will need to see how he is. We will let the school know on Monday and see what they say.

The assessment looks at how they interact with others and things like extending play, sharing, etc. It’s definitely nothing like a teenage two hour exam but him being clingy and uninterested is not ‘him’ so would obviously prefer he was well enough to be himself.

We will see. At least we would have a great excuse why he doesn’t get in!

Thanks again. 🤕

DS1 had GA age 2.8 for adenoids and grommets. Waking up was horrid. Within a couple of hours he had eaten a huge meal. He slept fine that evening and next day we got on a 5 hour train with him despite all advice to take it easy (had to, though of course if he had been very unwell we could have postponed). He was 100% himself. If assessment can be delayed 24-48 hours for breathing space, I’d go with that. If not, don’t worry, don’t cancel and I’m sure he’ll be himself.

As an aside, agree with PPs advice for the gas anaesthetic. Hold tight and lovingly force your child through it the first time hcps try - dragging it out would be a total misery for all.