The Child Having Surgery
Preparing the Teenager for Surgery
Adolescents like to be active participants in deciding what happens to them, including the kind of care they receive. Parents need to act as partners with their teens in making healthcare decisions. Recognizing the fears that teenagers commonly have when going to a hospital will help you in your preparations. Common fears and concerns may include the following:
- loss of control
- being away from school and friends
- having a part of his/her body damaged or changed in appearance
- fear of surgery and its risks
- pain
- dying during surgery
- fear of the unknown
- fear of what others will think about them being sick or in the hospital
- Allow your teen to be part of the decision-making process. Encourage him/her to make a list of questions to ask the physicians and nurses.
- Your teen should start learning and preparing as soon as the decision to have surgery is made. Reading books and using the Internet are good places to start.
- Child life specialists can provide age-appropriate explanations and assist teens in finding a variety of resources.
- Teenagers are often reluctant to admit that they do not understand explanations. Parents and healthcare professionals may need to explain treatment in several different ways, without making the teen feel uncomfortable.
- Ask friends from school to send cards or call during recovery.
- Your teen may find it helpful to write down his/her thoughts and feelings in a special notebook or journal.
- Encourage your teen to pick out and bring a few comfort items from home, such as books, hand-held video games, or a cassette tape player.
- During hospitalization, your teen may go through frequent mood swings. It is important to be patient and understanding. Your teen can become withdrawn and not want to talk or answer questions. There are times when he/she may need to alone.
- Let your teen know that it is acceptable to be afraid and to cry. He/she might need to know you have the same worries they do. Reassure them of your support.
- Learn as much as you can about your teen's condition. Teens can tell when their parents are worried. The more you know, the better you will feel and will be able to help explain things.
- Be truthful when answering questions. Teenagers may become angry if they think people are keeping secrets from them. They need to understand what is wrong with their body. How the information is given is often as important as what information is given.
- Privacy is very much a need of your teenager. Teens are often as private about their thoughts and feelings as they are about their bodies. It is necessary to always respect their privacy.
It is extremely important that you have followed all of the instructions that were given to you by
your child's surgeon during the preoperative visit. The day before surgery, someone will call you
from the hospital to tell you the exact time to bring your child to the hospital. You will be
instructed where to go and when to stop giving your child food and drink. It is very important to
follow these rules. Arriving at the wrong time or allowing your child to eat and drink after the
prescribed times can cause delays in your child's surgery, or perhaps even postpone or cancel it.
It is recommended that you make arrangements for other siblings to be cared for at home. Your
attention needs to be focused on your child having surgery.
Before coming to the hospital, remove any jewelry (i.e., watches, necklaces, or earrings) that
your child wears and leave them at home so they are not misplaced. Also, have your child
remove nail polish so that the color of the nail beds can be observed during surgery and
afterwards.
- Before surgery, you and your child will be taken to the surgical holding room.
- Your child will change into hospital pajamas and the nursing staff will get your child ready for the operation.
- Your child will be given an identification bracelet to wear and the nurse will check your child's temperature, blood pressure
and oxygen level. None of this should be uncomfortable for your child.
- You and your child will meet with several people from the surgical team. This includes the anesthesiologists and operating room nurses.
They will ask you many of the same questions about allergies, medications and your child's medical history. They will also tell you more information
about the operating room procedures.
- Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time for your child. There are a variety of toys and
activities for all age children and teens to use. Playing with toys, reading a story with you,
watching a movie or playing a video game are all good ways to help your child relax and refocus.
- Most often, children are given relaxing medicine to drink (or through an IV for older
children) before they go to the operating room. This helps your child to calmly separate from
you.
- Before your child leaves for the operating room, reassure your child that you will be waiting
close by. If you brought your child’s favorite stuffed animal or comfort item from home, this
can go with your child to the operating room. Members of the anesthesia team will take your
child to the operating room. The nurse will show where to wait while your child is in surgery.
- When the surgery is over, the surgeon will speak with you and let you know how the
operation went.
After the operation your child will be taken to the recovery room (called the PACU or Post
Anesthesia Care Unit). Once your child is settled in the recovery room you will be able to join
him/her there. Your child will stay here while the anesthesia wears off. Your child's vital signs
will be monitored and your child may be connected to several machines, including an IV
(intravenous) pump. Ask the nurse about any equipment you do not understand. Depending on
the type of surgery, your child may be sent home or will go to:
- The children's unit to recover for 24 hours or less
- The children's unit to recover for several days
- An intensive care unit to recover, then to the regular children's unit until time for discharge.
Sharon Carter and Judy Monnig. 1987. Coping With A Hospital Stay. Rosen Publishing Group.
A. J. Hill. 1999. The Patients Guide To Anesthesia. New York: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Theodore Tyberg and Kenneth Rothaus. 1995. Hospital Smarts. New York: Hearst Books.
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