General Anaesthetic for children

[MaggieW]

DD has to have an little operation to have a cyst removed. It will be done under general anaesthetic but I have to say this scares the living daylights out of me. I've had several over the years, and not bothered myself, but for her, it makes me feel v worried.

They can't do it under sedation as it's on her face so they need her completely still, and it will only be for 20 mins, but that doesn't really help me.

What's your experience?

My DS had his tonsil out at 4, all was fine although i was worried and stressed the whole time he was away, about an hour iirc.

How old is your DD?

She'll be 6 when they do the op.

My DS got a little upset when he was in the room before going into theatre, but was just a little too young to understand everything that was going to happen, i'd imagine at six he'd have understood better which would have helped.

I don't think there is anything that would have made me worry less but they are very quick to let you be with them again.

I hope it all goes well.

My ds1 has had lots of operations and sorry to say it never gets any easier leaving them in the anaesthetic room. But by far our worst experience was the muscle biopsy they took with just sedation. He screamed through the whole procedure and in the end the nurse was faffing so much that dh physically held ds1 down and told her very firmly to just get on with it as her dithering was making things worse. It would have been kinder and better for all concerned if he'd been under anaesthetic. They also told us he wouldn't remember anything about it but he did. He was quite distressed about hospital appointments and needed alot of reassurance that they weren't going to "stab him" again for a long time afterwards.
I'm sure your DD will be fine and I hope it all goes well. It is completely pointless me telling you not to be scared and not to worry because it's not possible

DS1 had an operation on his eye when he was 5. It wasn't easy, he had no idea what was coming so didn't cry until they were trying to insert the canula. He was fine but I was completely traumatised

When he came round he was a bit confused and in pain but that was because of his eye. He couldn't open it properly and when he did it hurt

TBH it would seem he forgot about it long ago but I suspect he may remember it if he ever had to go back to hospital.

The only other thing I would say would be have someone else with you. I was on my own with DS1 as DH was at home with DS2. I wouldn't so it on my own again. All the waiting around before the op and after seeing DS1 so upset was really tough without support.

My baby has had 2 GA's in the past month, thing to know is that it makes their breathing go funny so don't be alarmed, and just be with them and cuddle them when they go under so they feel safe. Try to save your tears till they're asleep! You need to take deep calming breaths too! Also make sure you understand exactly what is happening so you understand what's going on.

It will be fine, don't worry.