Preparing for Surgery for 2 Year Old-how Do You Help Them?

My daughter had surgery when she was 3 to remove a cyst in her throat. Very scarey. You are your son's barometer. He has no idea what to expect and has no reason to think it will be a bad or scarey thing. He will be watching you for clues on how he should be feeling about this. Even if you're nervous, you really need to try not to let him pick up on it. He will be listening to the tone of your voice as well as observing your physical reactions. They are very perceptive, as you know. At his age, I think you only need to let him know he's going in to have it removed because it's small right now, so it will be easy to remove; if ya'll wait until he's older it will be bigger. Honestly answer his questions, on his level, but don't offer info he doesn't ask about. He may ask if it'll hurt. My answer would be no, it won't hurt when they remove it, because you will be sleeping and you won't even know they are doing it. When you wake up, it might hurt a little, but if it does, we'll give you some medicine and it'll be fine. Reassure him, and yourself, that you love him and wouldn't allow anyone to do anything to him that is harmful.
Best of luck, and just KNOW it will all be fine. (-:

My DD has had 4 eye surgeries for strabisamus and lazy eye. She was only like 17-18 mths old with her first and had one about every 6-8 mths until she hit about 6 yrs old. When she was younger I didn't tell her much just that she was going to drink medicine and go take a nap for a while. They didn't use any needles or anything till she was asleep so we didn't worry about any of that. She was a champ considering what she had just been through I didn't handle it so well the first time anyway. Thank God for grandparents!!! After that it wasn't so bad for me so in return she handled it better too. I didn't think about it but my mom bought her a special feel good bear to take back with her and the doctor actually brought her a goodie bag (for every surgery) that had some feel good things in it. She loved it and I think that really helped her alot. Think possitive and try to stay strong he will pick up on your anxiety and freak out himself.
Prayers go out to you and your family!

Hi P., let me just saw...we as as mom know what you are going through. Our daughter just turned 4, in April of this year when she was 3 we had to have a Naval Hernia removed. The morning of her surgery, we just told her that the doctor was going to make her Navel look like mine and her dad. We discussed nothing else. I was very nervous for her to be sedated and us not being allowed in the surgery room, even though it was a 20 minute procedure. We played with her just as we normally do, when the ananthologist arrived in the room and I immediately feel to pieces, I turned my back to walk away so that my daughter wouldn't see me and the wonderful anatholgist (sp) immediately started to distract her and wheeled her out the room. The rest is history and everything was fine. I said all this to say, yes you will be emotional the day of, but with the support of your husband and a good medical team...."everyone" will do fine. My daughter was sore following her procedure but we just make sure she took it easy for a few days.

Have you tried asking the social workers and/or child life specialists at Children's for advice on how to handle this? They are experts on helping kids deal with surgery and are a great resource.

First...please forgve any typing errors; I'm typing while nursing a newborn. :)

My two year old (three i Feb, so a bit older than yours) recenty had outpatient surgery at Childrens & it went brilliantly. They staff was awesome, from the receptionist to the anesthesiologist. Everyone was so nice & caring to we parents & to Meara.

We didn't discuss the srugery with Meara in advance as we didn't feel she was old enough toreally prcess what was going on. Sh'ed just get freaked out, y'know?

So the night before we told her that when she woke up we'd be going to a special doctor's office (didn't want to say hosptal, as I'd only just had a baby & was in the hospital for several days...didn't want her to think she'd have to stay like I did) to have her teeth fixed. We showed her the tooth that was ooky & said we had to go get it fixed & it would be easy peasey. We said we'd be there with her & so would some really awesome, nice nurses & doctors; that she'd take a little nap when we got there & when she woke up, her tooth would be all better. We didn't make a big deal about it, just let her know simply what we were doing & made it sound super quick & easy.

At the hospital, like I said, everyone was awesome. We were ina litle curtained off room while the nurse checked her out; then the anesthisiologist came in & the doctor. Everyone was great about talking with Meara & allowing her to feel comofrtable with them.

She had a shot of a medicine that mde her really loopy. She was like a little drunk, right down to the hiccups. When they wheeled her off, she was so out of it that she didn't even know. They didn't do the IV until she was asleep. She hated that thing when she woke up, though! She was able to get it taken out after she had a drink & then we were outta there!

I was totally pleased with our experience with Childrens. Meara did great, taking it all in stride. The syaff thewre will do an awesome job takling care of yourl ittle guy!!

P.,
I am certainly no expert, but did deal with this type of thing with my kids and this is what I did. Don't make a big deal. I wouldn't even talk about it until a couple of days before. Be matter of fact and try to describe as much as you can to prepare him. Don't describe about the surgery because he will be asleep. Be vague. The doctor wants to fix the booboo on you right here, and tap his booboo gently. Describe about going to the hospital, what he will wear, etc.. What it will look like, who will be there, how early you will get up. Bring a favorite toy or book, but don't worry because they have all that stuff at Children's. Maybe a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. If it will help you ask your doctor if can be with him until he falls asleep. Give him a lot of love. Don't go alone. Bring a spouse or friend to distract you! Now, as for you! You are the one that has all the baggage and worry. So do what you can to calm yourself. That will help your son. I can tell you this......the nurses are experts at Children's and they will lead you right along. They have every trick in the book to make it an easy experience, and they love children. If you can find a way to calm yourself it really will make a world of difference. You are doing the right thing for your baby.

Where in Pa. are you from? I lived in Philly three years and just loved it. Welcome to Big D!