DD is going to have general anaes. for cystoscopy- advice needed!

[MariaBN6]

I wantto ask for a piece of advice mums whose DC went through general anaesthetic. Mine is 3y.9m., and is going to have cystoscopy done with general anaesthetic. My first question: what's the best way to prepare for it, which foods to take, maybe some natural remedies? She won't be allowed any solids on the day from 6.00am.
Secondly, when they come round, how do they react? How do they feel afterwards, and again, what in your experience is best to do? It's going to be only about 15-20 mins, but am rather terrified, as don't know what to expect and also need to be very positive and give her lots of support so am really in need of some umph!
Thanks very much.

My DS had a general anaesthetic when he was about 18 months (this year), his operation too was about 15 mins max.

I didn't really do anything to prepare for it actually - in fact all I did was worry about it for weeks beforehand. It actually was fine! They gave him some pre meds which made him a little woozy and you could see he didn't understand what was going on. They do the operations by age/weight at our hospital so he was 2nd in on the day so he didn't have to go without milk/food for too long.

I think the hardest part was watching him not know what was going on. My DP went with him whilst he was put under but said it was ok - they said this bit can upset parents the most in our pre op chat.

He was absolutely fine when he came round, he had his milk and a snack (I got some puree type sachets as his operation was on his mouth so he couldn't eat because of stitches) and so they let us out to go home about 45 mins after he was out - I almost wanted to stay in the safety of the hospital but he was fine, running around as soon as we got home etc.

I hope it goes as smoothly for you and your DD! Maybe someone else will be able to give some good ideas about some natural remedies. We took his colouring book and some crayons to entertain him before/after he went in too - it is a bit of a distraction and something familiar to play with.

Thank you bluebump! Smb else's experience is always very reassuring... We've been told we'll spend there half a day as after the cystoscopy she'll come out with a catheter and will proceed to another procedure after the anaesthetic wears off so that her bladder could be filled with liquid and x-rayed... so GA is not the whole story unfortunately. But in my understanding the GA is the worst bit so am really hoping she'll be fine.

Other stories will be greatly appreciated!

My daughter has had 2 GAs, one of which was for 5 hours. only advice would be to request that a favourite teddy be allowed to accompany (they gave it to her as soon as she started to come around). also they will have one hand taped up, my daughter sucked her thumb and we specifically requested that this was freed as soon as she started to come round. children bounce back quicker than adults depeneding on the surgery, but have some dvds / tv to sit quietly to afterwards. good luck

Maria, it isn't as bad as you think it will be! All parents are v anxious beforehand, but usually children sail through.

We make sure we don't eat or drink in front of DS before operations, and change the morning routine to 'leapfrog' breakfast. Lots of distraction.

The anaesthtist wil come and talk to you on the ward - they might put a canula (thin plastic tube) in her hand, or they might make her unconscious with gas. If they use a canula, they will put anaesthetic cream on her hand 30 mins before inserting it. Distract!

You will be allowed into the anaesthetic room with her, you can take favourite toys etc, and will hold her on your lap while the anaesthetist puts anaesthetic into the canula. They fall asleep remarkably quickly. With gas they can struggle but the more they struggle the faster they go under as struggling increases their breathing rate. Or they may show her the screen and tell her the harder she can breathe in the more like;y she is to make it reach 10...can she do it....

It is hard seeing them unconscious. Most parents become tearful at that point.

They will come and get you once she is in recovery. Tell her straight away that the operation is over - DS sometimes comes round thinking they are still trying to anaesthetise him! Just be quiet and calm and soothing and let her gather herself. Have easy to eat and digest snacks available.

We have always just been very matter of fact about what is being done - just tell her the doctor needs to do whatever and that they will make her go to sleep while they do it so that she can't feel it. I have never said lost of 're-assurng' things because IME if you overdo re-assuring children become worried that there is something very bad over which re-assurnace is needed. WE have always just answered DS's questions fairly factually, and not made a big deal of it.

DS has had 9 GAs between the ages of 11m and 8.

I hope all goes well.

Hello. My DS is 2 and has had two GAs recently, both for investigations rather than actual surgery. I recently posted on another thread on here about it and so I have linked to the post for you:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childrens_health/905207-MRI-SCAN

He was better waking up the second time than the first time which is the one I've mentioned. He was tired and hungry when he woke up. The second time, when he woke he ate practically two whole meals in one, I have never seen him eat so much . Both times, I was upset seeing him go to sleep and then leaving him, so bear in mind that is tough on the mum.

Sorry, not sure about natural remedies but I do know after the first one, he refused healthy food and just wanted chocolate cake.

I hope it goes well.

So sorry didn't say thanks to all of you, thanks so much for all the support and info! It went ok and thank god it's over, i must say i'd rather went thru labour again that see my little girl crying so much. The anaesthetic was the easiest bit actually. She came out with a catheter and the nurse said that she should get some sleep as it'll be good as the next part of the investigation was in a few hours... sleep! she couldn't even lie down. Just stood the whole time supported under her arms by DH and cried saying her bottom hurts... by the time we were called to the x-ray to fill up her bludder with dye and then x ray to check for reflux - no pain involved as just filling up with liquid - she was screaming SO much I nearly said stop to the doc. But we've gone that far with the GA would have been a shame to leave it at that. Luckily it didn't show reflux and the cystoscopy was fine too, but OMG what a stress. Also, having catheter for half a day messed up her toilet habbits as she doesn't know when to pee now, so we now have accidents. Oh well. Still glad that she is clear of all the suspicions the doc had and can be off abx.... Thanks for the advice and support everyone.