Surgery : What to Tell Your Child about Surgery

Hospital stays and medical procedures can be stressful for children and their families. Children of all ages need to know what to expect when they go to the hospital. Being honest from the beginning is the best way to make your child feel better about their hospital stay.

• When to discuss the operation
  Children under the age of five years should be told just a few days before your visit. Older children need more time to ask questions, pack and plan.

• Use familiar words
  Tell your child what part of the body needs to be fixed. Use simple words that your child can understand.
• Talk and listen
  Encourage your child to ask questions, to share feelings, to cry or talk about fears. Let him know it is normal to be afraid.
• Involve your child
  Allow your child to help pack, selecting favorite comfort items, pictures from home and other special personal items. 
• Provide comfort and reassurance
  Let your child know you will stay with him at the hospital and take him home when it is time. If you cannot stay, tell him who will be there with him. Let your child know that surgery is not a punishment and that needing an operation is not his fault.
• Ask for help
  Ask about available tours and services to help your family be best prepared for surgery and the hospital stay.

How can I answer my child's questions?

The following are a few questions children commonly ask before their operations and suggested answers parents can give. You can help relieve many of your child’s fears of the unknown, build trust and help create a positive experience for your child by honestly sharing information.

The following are a few questions children commonly ask before their operations and suggested answers parents can give. You can help relieve many of your child’s fears of the unknown, build trust and help create a positive experience for your child by honestly sharing information.

• "Will it hurt?"
  "Not during the operation, as you will be in a special deep sleep. Afterward, the place you had your operation may be sore or uncomfortable, but you will be given medicine to help you feel better."

• "Will I have to have a shot?"
  “I’m not sure, but the hospital staff will always tell us before anything happens.”

• "Where on my body will surgery be done?"
  Point to the specific spot on your child’s body and reassure your child that no other spot will be operated on and that their body will work the same after surgery.

• "Why can’t I eat or drink before my operation?"
  “For your special sleep, your stomach falls asleep too, so it can’t have any food or drink until after you wake up. The doctors will say when it is OK to eat and drink.”
  
  
• "Will you be with me?"
  "I will be with you before your operation and with you when you wake up. During the operation I will be waiting very close by."

• "When will we go home?"
  • For same day surgery: "When you are awake, feeling well and have something to drink, we will go home."
  • For planned admission: "The doctors will decide when it is best for you to go home."