|
|
| *Women health>>>Preparing for Surgery |
How can I prepare myself and my 3 year old for surgery? |
He's having his tonsils out this month and I am just all torn up about it. I know it's a routine procedure, but I know there are risks with any surgery. Are there any tips you can give me to prepare him and myself both physically and emotionally? It's always hard to prepare a little child for any surgery. When my son had to have surgery to remove a brain tumor, we didn't exactly know how to explain it to him because he was just 22 months old. but we sat him down and his sister who was 3 at the time and we used a banana to help us(as odd as it seems) We said that he had a brown spot in his head just like this brown spot on the banana and that he was going to go to sleep and the doctor would scoop out the brown spot and he'd be all better and then we showed them both us cutting out the brown spot on the banana and saying "see the rest of the banana is still good, just like you" It seems kind of silly, but it did help them both through it and even now when we talk about his surgery, he always refers to it as when he got his brown spot taken out so his brain didn't get smooshy. Another thing to remember......no matter how scared to death you are DON'T let them see you cry about it. Be strong infront of them. If you have to cry leave the room and don't come back til you have recovered because when they see you scared it makes them scared. When my son was in the PICU(pediatric intensive care unit) and we were told he was paralyzed on his left side and they didn't know at that time if it was permanent or just a side effect of the surgery I fought like a mad woman not to let the tears roll down my face and as soon as I could, I got out of there and I went to the parking garage of the hospital and I cried and screamed and let it all out and then when I had let it all out I went back. What you're little guy is going through is really a simple procedure and you should get to take him home either that day or the next, but it's still hard on you AND him but just remember to be strong and treat it like it's an everyday thing....no big deal.....happens all the time....and he will be relaxed and recover better. My son and I just went through that last year. I guess the most important thing is to not let him know how stressed you are, because then he'll be afraid. Just let him know that he's got to have something special done at the hospital that will make him feel a lot better. Give him details if you want, but I wouldn't mention knives or anything :) Make sure you bring his favorite blanket, book, toy or whatever comforts him. I understand where you are coming from. I was sure I was sending him to his death in the days before my sons surgery. Keep in mind that complications from suck a simple procedure are rare and that you are doing the best thing for your son. Mother of three who's been there. get him a book and show him pictures of poorlty child goin to hospital and he should understand if u are worried look it up on net to see wht they do the op not that bad my fiends little boy had it done he was ok Phone the clinc or hospital where the procedure is being done and ask for a tour (tell them why you want it). This really helped our children. If the tour doesn't provide a treat then before you leave the place pick up some little cookie or candy treat so it makes the experience pleasant. We were blunt and said the throat would hurt and that there would be medicine to help it stop hurting. We also told about the IV and why it was there. The hard part was the hunger and thirst in the morning waiting for the surgery but if you can just get past that the rest is manageable. It is OK to be scared, even you as the mom, it shows you care about your child and want the best for them. Try to focus on how much healthier your child will be once the tonsils are gone. Don't forget to stock up on popsicles! One thing to remember is to get him to drink the right amounts of water afterward. They will give you specific amounts that they want him to drink every day -he can have more but needs minimum what they say. This is too keep the throat moist -to promote healing. Buy lots of popsickles and cold drinks as they seem to help the younger children most. Older children seem to prefer warm drinks. My baby girl had 2 eye surgeries before she was 2 years old and my 4 year old son recently had surgery to remove a tumor on the back of his neck. With my baby girl, I didn't have to do anything at all. She was too young to realize what was happening. My 4 year old, however, was a little different. We prepared him by telling him what he would actually experience. Putting on the mask, breathing the funny smelling stuff, giggling a little, going to sleep and then waking up a little sore. He was fine with all of that. We also told him that God would be holing him while he was sleeping to make sure he was going to be safe. He really liked that. What I didn't prepare for was letting him know that we wouldn't be going into the surgery room with him. He's very sensitive and when he found that out, at the hospital, he cried. It broke my heart. I wish I had prepared him for that part. Just do your best to remain calm, explain it all in a "fun" way and breathe a lot while you are waiting. It may be routine but it is your baby and it's all terrifying regardless. |
| Tags |
| Pain Management Pelvic Pain Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Pregnancy Premenstrual Syndrome Preparing for Surgery Progesterone Rheumatoid Arthritis Obesity Ocular Allergies |
Health Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster The information on whfhhc.com is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. |