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Original poster

Operation on 10 month old - hints please

9 replies

melander · 05/04/2006 07:15

DS has a haemangioma (strawberry mark) which BLEEDS bucket loads. He's having it off on Wednesday under general anaesthetic which means he can't eat in the morning etc. It should just be a day surgery job, so nothing too dramatic/dangerous/worrying.

Just wondering if anyone has any bright tips to make the whole thing a bit easier for him and us?
Oh, and if this discussion has been done to death, could you point me in the right direction? (Just gone squint eyed reading through previous posts).

Thanks

Melander

OP posts:
Jennypog · 05/04/2006 09:20

If your child is a baby he should be one of the first on the list because of starving him. My dd has had 3 operations and they have all been absolutely fine, but the only warning I give you is that he will probably be very distressed when he comes round from the anaesthetic. It is a bit worrying as they cry and scream and there is nothing that can be done to console them. They suddenly go back to sleep and wake up a bit groggy - all very odd.

I think it is worse for you really because you have all these terrible things going round your head. Good luck, I am sure it will be fine.

cupcakes · 05/04/2006 09:22

Haven't any experience of this so no huge advice but just wanting to wish you all luck. Maybe bring in a blanket which smells of home to comfort him.

DumbledoresGirl · 05/04/2006 09:27

My son has had 3 GAs, although he was a bit older than yours at the time. We were lucky because he coped very well, but yes, expect a period of time after the op when he will be groggy and irritable or not very responsive. There is always a worry that they might be sick after a GA, so they tend to reintroduce foods slowly, but our son astonished them all by guzzling as much food as he could lay his hands on without any ill effects!

Jennypog · 05/04/2006 09:29

Oh and they won't let him out until he has eaten, drunk something and walked (so long as he is old enough!!). My dd is usually so desperate to get out that she is more or less eating the blankets.

It is a very boring day though, I must say, so take someone with you to talk to. I always took my mum, as it is good to have someone to get drinks and stuff when you are dealing with the child.

We go to a Children's hospital, so they are really geared up for kids. We go down to the anaesthetic room and have to wake them up afterwards. That way they don't feel as if they have been away at all.

Jennypog · 05/04/2006 09:29

Sorry, eaten, drunk, walked and very importantly had a wee.

blueshoes · 05/04/2006 09:51

melander, the starving is hard. Try to distract your ds from his hunger. If there is a play room, take ds there. If you can get a relative (eg grandma) to be with you and ds during that period, that would be great. I believe that no food/formula for 6 hours before, breastmilk (4 hours before) and then no drink for 2 hours before (please check with hospital). Remember to give ds that last sip of water when allowed.

I find that the worst part (for you) is taking ds down to anesthesia and then leaving him with the anesthetist. Try not to let ds see you crying. Let grandma carry him and keep within view but out of direct line of ds' sight if blubbering (I was). Then go out and take your mind off things. The hospital gave me a pager to tell me when the operation was done.

When ds wakes up, just be there. You will feel so much better then. Try not to worry >. Our little ones are so resilient, they do take it so much better. I say this for my dd and for so many of the other little ones I saw on the children's ward - who were there for very very major operations.

And they are up and about in no time at all, raring to go Smile Your ds will be fine.

Original poster
melander · 07/04/2006 04:51

Thank you all so much!!
I am studiously NOT thinking about this all that much - I go back to full time work the week after, and we're having a thank you party after finishing renovations this weekend, so there are plenty of other things to stew on!

Yes, bringing a blanket from home is a briliant idea. We are lucky in that DH works part time in the theatre (operating that is) and we have taken DS in quite a few times for the obligatory show-offs and socialised with the staff. It wouldn't surprise me if DH even goes in for the operation with him - not sure if I will though. DH is very comfortable there and knows the secret ways to get through the rabbit warrens of corridors to get good coffee etc.

Apparently we are first on the list but have to be there at 12:30pm - will be a long day with the fasting, but am wording mother's group friends up and will try and get him out and about. (Was planning on going playgrounding but really crap autumn whether here in Tasmania at the moment).

Hmmmm. He was weaned about two weeks ago but I still have some there, may brave his eight sharp teeth for one last feed if it means two less starving hours....

Thanks again,

M

OP posts:
Original poster
melander · 21/04/2006 01:03

Just wanted to let you all know the op went really well.
He sat there and watched them take the IV out without even wincing. All fixed!!

OP posts:
Chandra · 21/04/2006 02:14

Excellent news :)

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