So my 20 month old son has to have his adenoids and toncils removed as well as tubes in ears. My older son had this done but he was 5 years old at time. They took us into room, doctor and anesthesia doctor came in talked to us about surgery, then took him to operating room and put him under there. He did okay, he looked like he was going to cry (I was on verge of bawling) but he held it together. However with my lil man, he has never been put in daycare, I am SAHM. So around strangers he gets freaked out. He has only been left with my family few times. I know he is going to scream when they take him away. So my question is has anyone had to deal with surgery for kid this age and how did they do it? Do they just take them kicking and screaming? Or do they do something else?
Thanks so much! I feel better. He is getting this done due to cronic ear infection, fluid in ears that won't go away and sleep apnea. We have had him tested for food allergies, and lots of other stuff as well. I have called hospital and they won't let anyone go in or room, but I can go as far as doors to it. Also they do that drink that makes them sleepy, so I do feel better. Thanks so much! :)
My daughter was given an IV in the pre-op room and they gave her the anesthesia there. I would ask if they can do that or if you can go back with him until he's asleep.
*hugs*
When my son was really young and had to have surgery, they gave him a liquid that kind of knocked him out / made him really really woozy (so he didn't care what was going on) while I held him in a rocker. Then they took him back. You might see if there is something they can do like that.
My daughter had tubes put in at 3 and I was not allowed to go back with her. However, they were so nice and we got to sit with her in a private room and get her comfortable for a long time before they took her back. Then, they asked her if she liked princesses and did she want to see the princesses that adorned the walls? She said yes. That is when she left with them. They showed her the princesses on the wall, then asked if she wanted to wear a special princess mask and smell a wonderful princess smell. She said yes, they put the mask on, and she was out. I was soooooo nervous, but it was very easy. Pediatric doctors and nurses are great!
Our daughter was 15 months when she had tubes put in her ears but about 8 when she had her tonsils & adenoids removed. Both times my husband walked down to the e/r w/her which was helpful. He stayed both times until she was under the anesthesia so that part was over. I think that when they are that young, they don't remember so much of it and it more difficult for the parents. Best of luck to you and your son.
My son has had 2 eye surgeries at St Lukes and what they did was have us go back to prep with him and have us dress him in their gown. They also let him take a stuffed animal or blanket from home back with him. They give him toys and make him calm and show him his glowing finger, etc and then gave him a liquid anesthesia so that when it came time to take him to surgery he would be calm and go with strangers... Then when he was done the Dr came out and talked to us and about 10 minutes later they brought us back to his recovery room so that when he was awake he wouldn't get scared. Then when it was time for him to leave they wheeled him out in a red wagon :) They are very professional and very understanding of kids and their parent's anxieties.
My daughter had the same surgery done at 2 1/2 and I was an absolute wreck over the anesthesia also. My daughter began to get a little anxious right before being put under from all the people around her (she didn't know she was having surgery) and they gave her a medicine that my husband called the happy juice. It calmed her almost immediately and she was happy and laughing. They brought me with her to the OR to when they put the mask on her face and she was out in a matter of seconds . I of course bawled my eyes out and a really nice nurse walked me down the hall and comforted me. The worst part for us was the recovery. Our daughter was in a lot of pain and refused to swallow meds. Good luck!
Hi--
I know you didn't ask this, so forgive me if I'm over-stepping my bounds, but have had your son tested for food allergies? Often times everything swells up due to food allergies--take the offending foods away and the swelling goes down. Then he won't have to have them removed. Some doctors will tell you that their tonsils grew faster than they did---frankly, that's just not true. So if you'd like to avoid this all together I can help. Otherwise, I suggest you get some Bach's Flower Rescue remedy for both of you to ease the transition.
Good luck!
J.
My son was a bit younger, but I had the same concerns. The day before, they told me that I would be able to go into the OR with him while they got him prepped, and that I could stay there until he was "asleep". However, the morning of the procedure, the anesthesiologist decided that due to my son's reflux, they would have to start an iv first before giving him the gas... long story short, I couldn't go in the OR with him. They ended up giving him some Versed (they gave me a syringe filled with it, and I fed it to him) in the pre-op area, so by the time he needed to go to the OR, he was really sleepy. The Dr. just took him out of my arms and carried him away, and my son couldn't have cared less.
Good luck to you! The idea of anesthesia for my baby was the scariest thing to me, but he did just fine. He cried for about 30 minutes after the procedure, and took a long nap, and then he was fine.
My son just had some testing done that he had to be under for. They let me go into the OR, and started him with laughing gas. I got to stay until he was "asleep". After I left, they gave him the IV with the real meds and did the procedure. It worked really well for us. The docs said sometimes it can be a bit scary as the child goes to sleep because they may "convulse" a bit, but that's perfectly normal. My son went really easily. I know it's not easy, but i hope it all goes well!
My daughter had eye surgery at the same age. They were VERY accomodating and had toys to keep her occupied. You are literally with them till they are out so there shouldn't be too much anxiety but I do understand it is a strange place. They had some sort of calming drug that they gave my daughter to reduce the anxiety (not put her out) that helped. On another note, if you son is like my daighter and holds her breath when crying followed by a blood curling scream, this can be a problem when coming out of sedation because their little lungs are too weak during that time to inhale after such an exhale. Be cautious and observant during that time. Best of luck!
first off, i know how you feel, so scared! i have a special needs child who is now 4 but is non verbal and very mentally delayed. she had to have eye surgery when she was 6 months old, and then three months later, she had to have an MRI which she again went under for. She just had her second set of tubes put in about 6 weeks ago and she was under for that as well. i think with a child that age, they give them a little sedative before surgery so it can calm nerves, it doesnt always work, so my guess is he probably will cry a bit, but would i would do is request to walk all the way back with him to the surgery room and then make the transition. it is never easy with a child you can't fully explain things too. hugs.... good luck!
My four month old who is now four years old had hernia surgery. I have yet to meet a baby who doesn't want to be with mama and papa. Going to church with my youngest who is ten months old I am almost always called to get him. The hospital took very good care of my son, they even said a prayer with us over him. As upset as he was, it only lasts a brief time before they place them under and your son will be back in your arms in no time. My oldest son also had the surgery your kids are having done. It's so much worse on us mama's.
Where is this being done at? Do you live near a Children's Hospital? My son has had a few surgeries and while they are scary I have always felt good b/c we've done them at the Children's Hospital in Omaha and everyone has been AWESOME. Like Momof2boys said, they gave him something to make him woozy and when they took him (he was very clingy to his mommy) he couldn't have cared less. One time they came to get him with a wagon and he left woozy, laying in the wagon while they blew bubbles for him. They also have "gas masks" that are scented and let the child choose what scent they want. I would never do any surgery anywhere else. I value taking him somewhere that really knows kids. Good luck!!!!
My daughter had surgery at 7 years old and had general Anesthesia.
For us, they let me, go into the operating room with her, and while they put the laughing gas on her... then as she got sleepy and whatnot, then I had to leave the room, while then then started the general anesthesia.
Sure, it was an entire Pediatric Surgeon and Anesthesiologist. And the Team talked to us, beforehand and we could ask any questions.
It was fine.
Bear in mind they may have to, secure your child to the table, so he does not flail or move around. It is for safety.
My DD has surgery when she was 10 months old. They brought us into a room had us put a gown on her and then when the dr came in they gave her some medicine that would calm her down, but not put her to sleep. Once that was working a nurse came and took her down to the operation and we went to the regular waiting room. She never once cried, but she was so relaxed that I don't think she really knew what was happening. I too am a SAHM and my DD had never been away from me that much either. She did fine. Good luck to you.
When my youngest had surgery they let parents go into the or I was able to stay with my son until he was asleep. They didn't put an iv in until he was already asleep from the gas.
