Baby Having Surgery

Hi there,

I have twin 3 1/2 year old girls. My 'youngest' has had 4 surgeries. It is scary the first time your child has to have a surgery. They will most likely give her an oral sedation when she's with you guys then once she's sleepy, the antethisiologist will take her back for the surgery. You have to be sure to not show your child that your scared. I wouldn't say anything to her 'til a day or so before. You don't want to scare her or make her nervous. Be sure to ask the doctor's any questions that you can think of. Both of my girls actually had this surgery when they were in the NICU...about 3 months old. You'll be surprised at how quick our little ones bounce back! =)

Good luck to you and everything will be ok.

I think when your child is having surgery that its harder for parents than the children. Let your daughter know they are going to fix her tummy. She will not remember this and the Dr's and nurses are great and will help you and her. Its not uncommon for children to have surgery but it is hard no for us as parents. Be strong for her. Everything will be fine and the worst is the first day but kids are stronger than they get credit for. She will be running around before you know it. Good luck on being calmer and Congratulations on your surprise.

My two boys have had surgeries, tubes (youngest) and a hemangioma removal (oldest). With the first one, he was given an oral "versed cocktail" so that he wouldn't have any fears about being taken away. When my second son needed tubes I demanded that he be given it as well, and to their dismay they did it (two different hospitals). Sometimes they have a harder time waking up from it, but they don't tend to have the 'trauma' associated with being taken away from you, or trusting the doctors afterwards.

Good luck to you...

When my son was 2 1/2 he had to have hernia surgery. He took it like a champ, we just told him the doctor was going to fix his lump. And when he woke up he was really crabby but he never needed any pain medication. I kept asking him if he hurt and he kept saying no. The first day is hard but after that you take it harder than they do. Now he still walks around telling everyone who will listen his doctor fixed him!

Hello

When my son was 12 months old, he was put under general anethesia for a re-circumcision and everything turned out just fine. He is now an 18 year old young man. Turn your worries and fears over to God. Let me know how your daughter's surgery went.

God's Blessings
D.

E.-

My son had his tonsils removed and his adenoids at the same time he was 3- Let me tell you they are stronger than we give them credit for, plus they cannot draw conclusions because they have no idea what is really going on or anything to compare it too. I am sure that she will be as much of a trooper as my son was. I know this seems cruel to say but we and the doctors tried to make the whole hospital thing fun to him- He didn't even need the sedative to leave us once it was time for the procedure (now I on the other hand did) I really think it's harder on us as the parents than it is for them. Be strong for her and don't let her see you scared bacause she may react to your reactions.

Best of luck to you! Please keep us informed-

Don't worry my son had 2 hernias removed and circumsized (i dont think i spelled that correct) at the same time at the same age as your daughter. He did'nt have any problems no stitches or anything I was like you going crazy. Please don't stress everything will be fine she won't remember a thing. Just pray and I will too
D. in Chicago

Hi there, my little boy was born 3 month early and spent that three months at the University of Chicago, but due to him being so early when he came home he was on oxyger so, we were not able to have him circumsized, so, when he was like 20 months old we did it up there at the University and it was so hard, we told him he was going somewhere to have something special done, but he really was not old enough to understand. The doctors and nurses were wonderful and they even let him take his favorite stuffed animal with him into the operationg room, which I was shocked, because the animal is gross, anyways I wouldn't have had it done anywhere else, as a matter of fact, we had an appointment with a guy here in NW Indiana and hated him and I said there is no way we are having this done anywhere but up there. So, I know the feeling but, You just have to know that she is in good hands up there and that she needs this surgery to happen, but I know how the nerves can be. I cried the entire hour he was gone, and when we went to see him he had no idea that anything had even happened, he got juice and a goodie bag etc.. they really are very equipped to handle the little ones, but good luck. When is it? I will be thinking about her.

E., I know this is the worst, scariest thing ever to know what your child is about to endure and at the same time she knows nothing about it. My son had surgery at CMH when he was 18 months. I wanted to cry every minute. If it makes you feel any better, at Children's Memorial when they took my boy in for surgery, they told us after they come in to take your baby, within about two minutes she'll be sleeping. They take a little mask and with the baby sitting on the Dr.'s lap they put a little mask by her face and it smells like cherries. Within seconds she'll be out and the next thing you know, they'll let you come in to be with her as soon as she wakes up. She'll be a little cranky and cry b/c she'll be confused when she wakes up. But you'll be there to hold her and that will be the best medicine. Try to be strong when you are with your child and everything will be just fine. I'll say a prayer for her now, too. Good luck, R.

My 16 month old son just had surgery on Good Friday. He was born with an exra thumb on his left hand that they removed. The doctors said that it was best to do the surgery when he was young. The surgery was elective which made it even harder on me. I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to him. I struggled with and cried about the decision many times.

Even though he understands everything, I don't think he would have understood me telling him anything about the surgery. We just got up very early and went. His was day surgery so he was able to come home. We were at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, which made me feel better knowing that they were peidiatric anesthesiaologist(sp?) They explained to us everything that would happen.

They surgery went fine and now he has a full arm cast on. When he woke up, he was trying to get it off (can you blame him?) I thought he was going to be miserable and that this was going to be the longest three weeks ever, but he was running around like normal in two days. We did give him pain meds those first two days and he has learned to do everything with one hand. One more week until he gets the cast off. Even though everything went well, I hope we never have to go through anything like this again.

We felt just as scared as you do. We trusted our doctor and knew that we were making a decision that would help our son in the future. I also posted on this site a while back about this and took comfort in the experiences that other people shared.

It is hard, but she will be fine and you will be so releived when it is all over.

Good luck.
C.

I've never had a child who needed this surgery... However, I had this surgery performed when I was 18 months (29 years ago!). I was placed under general anesthesia and did not have any problems with it... :) Good luck with your daughter's surgery.

I understand your concern. My youngest had surgery when he was 17 months old. He had an ectopic testicle. I worried and he was FINE. lol He came out of the process well, he was a little confused afterwards but he was fine!