By Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life Program, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach | The thought of surgery can be worrisome for children and their parents. Preparing your child for any surgical procedure can make your child less anxious and help them tolerate surgery and anesthesia better.
Tips to Help Prepare Yourself and Your Child
- Participate in a pre-surgical tour and discuss what happened on the tour later with your child.
- Ask questions of your child’s surgeon, anesthesiologist and nursing team in order to better understand what your child will experience. This will give you confidence and enable you to talk calmly to your child.
- Speak honestly with your child about what will happen.
- Listen to your child’s concerns about surgery.
- Encourage your child to participate in medical play (child life specialists are prepared to help young patients through this experience).
- Use a play medical kit at home to familiarize your child with tools the care team may use, such as a stethoscope.
- Include siblings in preparation and encourage them to ask questions too.
- Remind your child that they will return home soon.
- Read books about children being hospitalized. Children can often relate better to characters.
Questions That Children May Ask About Surgery
These are questions that are commonly asked by children who are having a surgical procedure. Here are some examples of responses that parents can give to put their child’s mind at ease.
Do I feel anything during the surgery?
No. A medicine will be given to you that will help you fall asleep. The medicine tells your body it is time to sleep. This sleep is different than naps at home because you will not hear noises or feel any discomfort. When it is time to wake up, the medication is stopped and you slowly wake up.
What will I look like in the operating room
You will look like you are sleeping. Your eyes will be closed and you will lie very still. You will be wearing your hospital pajamas and covered by a sheet except for the spot that the doctor needs for your procedure.
What do I have to do?
Relax! Ask questions. Bring a stuffed animal or toy to hug. Listen carefully to the doctors and nurses. You don’t have to try to go to sleep, the medicine will tell your body to sleep.
Who will be in the operating room?
Generally, there are four people in the room including the nurse, surgeon, anesthesiologist and someone to help the surgeon.
Will I be alone?
Your mom or dad can be with you right until you fall asleep. Then you will have doctors and nurses with you during surgery. Then when it’s time to wake up you will have one of your parents with you in the “wake up” room.
The more you help prepare your child for surgery, the more they will understand what is going to happen and reduce their anxiety about having surgery.