For Parents only: my 2 yr old needs a minor surgical procedure, what should I expect?

Question

We just discovered she has an inguinal hernia, and all she needs is an ambulatory surgery, that means she has it in the morning and is walking out of the hospital in the afternoon. The worst part I guess is the general anasthesia... Any parents out there have gone thru something similar... please give me some advice or just wise words...

Answer 1

sometimes they can get really cranky when they come too
explain they will have a monitor pegged to either his toe or finger... get a peg and do this...
sometimes they need a bit of oxygen ... so make a pretend mask...

my son was so afraid of those two things when he woke up and not knowing what they were that he screamed and refused to have it on which made it very hard to settle him

also have a snuggly warm blanket for him... will make him feel like he is at home
a favourite cup he can easily drink from when laying down... they make them drink when they wake up and if he has a familiar cup then he might be happier to drink

just be preparedt o have to have him in your arms the entire recovery time as well ... they usually just get grumpy and want to be held

dont waste time taking food for after as they cant usually eat anything apart from an icypole or something (to avoid vomiting)

hope all goes well

Answer 2

My first son had surgery when he was only a few weeks old for pyloric stenosis, and my second son just had a kidney removed. Leaving them in the care of the surgeons was the toughest part, and the waiting for the surgery to be done. When they came out of surgery, they were groggy and cranky, but once the anasthesia wore off, it was like nothing had ever happened to them. The hospital will take care of making sure she's not in any pain, and when you get her home, the prescribed doses of Tylenol or Motrin should keep her feeling just fine. Kids are resilient, she'll probably shock you with what an incredibly small deal it is to her. I was worried about the general anasthesia as well, but apparently adverse reactions are rare. Can you believe having a kidney removed only warrants an overnight stay?? In at 6 am, discharged by noon the next day...huh... Yea for medical advances I guess =) And I think hernia repair is a really common surgery for younger children. Most likely, she'll breeze right through it, and not even have any stitches to show for it....they use superglue these days (well, Dermabond, but same difference)
I hope this helps, I know it won't make you stop worrying....she's your baby, after all =) Good luck!

Answer 3

I went through the same thing with my daughter. She had to have the surgery at 3 months old, she's 5 years old now.

The doctor or hospital should've given you a sheet with basic instructions; no food or beverages after a certain time, etc. The procedure is very quick (for me it seemed like an eternity). Make sure you have Tylenol, Advil, and/or Motrin for her pain unless Doc prescribes something else.

She will be sore and irritable for a couple of days, so be prepared to be home with her for at least 3 days, maybe more. Try not to give her any heavy food after procedure; she's already going to be tender so heavy meals will weigh on her and make things worse. Also, pooping was hard for first day, but easier thereafter.

Let me know if you have anymore questions. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

My daughter was 10 months when she had a upper gastric hernia repaired. I was so worried too. Not really about the surgery about the anesthesia. She went threw it fine. All togather the hole procedure took about two and a half hours. I had family there with me. Everyone told me not to worry. I just tried to keep my mind on other things. I read a magazine, watched some TV, and ate some breakfast( they have a McDonald's in the children's hospital) Your child will be pretty much doped up for the rest of the day, She'll want to be loved on. It goes by fast, really you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

My daughter had surgery on a cyst that was above her eyebrow and she was only 4 months old at the time, and she did the same routine, she went in the morning and then was out later that same day. The anesthesia was my worst fear and believe it or not I had nothing to worry about after all. It is just a instinct that we have to worry, but I just believed that everything was going to be fine and it was, she was even smiling when I got to see her, so I knew that was a good sign as well. So my advice to you would be just think of it as for the better and the best will come out of it. I don't know you but I will put you in my prayers. Good luck and don't worry everything will work out just fine.

Answer 6

My son had to be put out when he was 4 months old for a MRI. The only problem that we had was that they didn't keep him covered during the procedure (which was just for his head area) and his body temperature fell and he was seriously turning blue. On him, they put the iv in his foot so that he wouldn't pull on it. I'm sure she'll be fine, just stay with her to make sure she doesn't have any ill effects of the anesthesia.

Answer 7

my son just went in of Friday to have a biopsy done on his leg. He was put to sleep, i went in there with the anaesthetist i kissed his forhead while he drifted off so sleep. I couldnt go in there though. I must admit though i was scared because he is only 3. I held back the tears but i knew that he was in safe hand. He came to really good. They make sure that they explain everything to you. So dont worry too much she will be in safe hands. I wish you all the best, she will be fine.

Answer 8

My son was two and had same surgery. You usually get to stay as the fall asleep. You get to be there when they wake up. On the way home and for the next two days or so he was in bed sleeping it off and by the third day, although tender, he was almost normal.

Answer 9

I really dont know what you should expect but be there for him