Operation

[Emsmomma]

Hi
My daughter is scheduled for a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at the end of the month.
She was diagnosed with sleep apnea last year and the doctors have said its best to have them removed, her breathing is terrible, she's constantly streaming and her snoring is awful 😂

We find if we mentally prepare her on things she's much more receptive so I'm going to start talking about it and want to make it as positive as I can. We've waited so long for this appointment, it doesn't help that her pre-op was back in October so she won't remember that. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can do this, have you come across any books (she loves books) where it maybe talks about hospitals? I was thinking of letting her choose some pyjamas for her stay and just basically making it a very positive thing, I don't want her to be frightened at the thought of going to hospital. I know she's going to be in pain afterwards so anything I can do to make it seem better would be massively appreciated.

She's 3 by the way

my son is also going through the same but hes got obstructive sleep apnea hes only 2 and 6 months. its horrible hes constantly got snot and Ill with infections.
its also worrying listening to him sleeping he is having his operation in next fortnight I am so worried as he is so young are you the same? I know it will improve his life to have it done as he is having grommets aswell to help his hearing and constantly being ill can't be good for him.

I've had this done and my DD has had it too but at ages older than you wee one. My advice is dont show your worried. answer any and all questions she may have in a way she'll understand. Loads of things to distract while in there. Colouring books, tablets and some favorite sweeties. Remember she'll get to eat ice cream too 😊 hope all goes well with it.

Also note down what time they give painkillers as when my DD was in they kept forgetting.

In our trust the little ones ride down to theatre in their Little Tykes car! It takes the focus off where they are. Hopefully the hospital has given you plenty of info to prepare you. If you need any questions answering, ring your Children's Ward, they are fantastic at putting anxious parents minds to rest.

Bless her. I had Ts and As removed age 4. Don't remember that much about it but do remember being in hospital and things about the ward.

The good thing is that nowadays you and/or husband will be able to stay with your daughter, which will be a comfort to her, also she won't be hospitalised for very long. Most of her recovery will be at home. She'll be drowsy for a time after the op which is very helpful.

Young children take it better than those who are older, or adults. My son had his removed at 15, there was a very small boy on the ward with him who, apparently, was charging up and down the ward in a pedal car at night :-).Children's wards are far more 'child friendly' than when I had mine done. The fact that you will be with her will make her feel secure.

Good luck .

At 3, she isn't going to have any real comprehension of what's going on. Just remain calm with her and her through the day, because any anxiety she feels is what she will pick up from you. She isn't going to have any memory of the procedure and barely any memory of the day. I had surgery at age 5, and and back then, parents weren't even allowed to stay the night with their child. I have very cloudy memories and those are of the nice nurses. She will bounce back from the operation faster than you can imagine. She will be just fine.

'Peppa goes to hospital' if she likes peppa pig. There is also a Maisey mouse one www.goodreads.com/book/show/2155191.Maisy_Goes_to_the_Hospital. Our local library does book packs for first experiences like hospital, school etc. You might find yours has something similar.
My son had eye surgery at five. We did talk about what would happen before and that helped. Also distraction on the day before surgery - new lego, ipad etc.
Good luck!

At 3, she isn't going to have any real comprehension of what's going on.

Actually I don't agree with that. My sister was in hospital at 3 and still remembers it over 30 years later. I think you're absolutely right OP to prepare her as much as possible (without going OTT and worrying her of course!) As a nanny I've worked with little ones who've had operations. Here are some of my tips:

Yes to books! Ask at your local library but have a flip through any they suggest before you read them just to make sure they're age appropriate. This one is good:

www.amazon.co.uk/Going-Hospital-Usborne-First-Experiences/dp/0746066589/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&keywords=going+to+the+hospital+book&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1560298427&sr=8-1

I don't know this one but reviews say they've read it to their 3 year olds:

www.amazon.co.uk/Ollies-Tonsils-Tony-Densley/product-reviews/1925422186/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?reviewerType=all_reviews&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

Watch video clips together. There are lots on Youtube. Again watch them alone first to see if they're suitable! It doesn't have to be the same hospital she'll be going to, it's just to introduce the idea. this one is good:

So are these - although aimed at slightly older children I think still worth a watch:

Role play is really good to prepare. I have a collection of real (but safe, of course!) medical equipment that I use with the little ones I work with. Toy doctors kits are better than nothing but don't bear much resemblance to the real thing. I have a real thermometer, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and oxygen mask, and some extra clutter too. If you have any vet or doctor friend see if you can get any freebies from them - gloves, plastic syringes, scrubs, surgery masks and hats etc. The IKEA dolls bed or similar makes a great bed for a teddy or doll to be a patient in while you role play being the doctor or nurse, and your little girl can join in too.

Role play is more important at 3 than small world play, but that has its place too, so something like a Playmobil hospital might be good. If you were going to get her a present to take to hospital this is cute:

www.woodentoyshop.co.uk/mini-hospital-playset.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwov3nBRDFARIsANgsdoHc2G_-kfsJqF7SoBd3ToDOAQMwPJSfCEHYbjyHZuyNE01TwrFyPJgaAuiGEALw_wcB

She'll probably role play hospitals for a week or 2 after the op to get it out of her system. Or she might not. Children often bounce through these things!

Oh, and stress the playroom that'll be on the ward! Try to spend some time in there before she goes to theatre if you can, and again before you go home if you think she's receptive to it and would enjoy it.

@fern44 sorry to hear this. It's such a worry isn't it. It's for the best but they are so tiny aren't they! Thinking of you and please let me know how you get on.

@Aquamarine1029 oh she does, this kid is wise beyond her years 

Thanks everyone else, these are really good ideas. I read the thread to my husband last night and he said there's things we just hadn't even thought of. @FurrySlipperBoots these are fantastic ideas. We actually play doctors loads as she has a few toy doctors sets and hadn't even thought of that side of it.

Thanks so much, I was anxious at first and sure I will be on the day but actually feel fine about it at the moment. It needs doing but we're all very positive about the experience at the moment