How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

My 3.5 year old is having hydrocele surgery next week (similar to hernia surgery)

How should I prepare him?
He will have some pain after and also some restrictions as far as activity level.

Message edited 9/15/2014 11:14:11 PM.

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

I would talk to him honestly. See if there is a book about it. I personally would have a toy or activity planned that I knew he wanted to have or do for after the surgery so he can have something positive to look forward to for after the surgery.

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

you can use a teddy bear to show him where he is going to have a boo boo. Perhaps place a band aid on the area where the incision will be. He can hold the bear for comfort, I don't think you can explain to him what pain he might have, but you use the teddy bear and say teddy wont be able to play until mommy says he can...something along those lines

How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

My son just had his tonsils out. We prepped him a lot and it helped tremendously! We got a book about surgery and read it every day. When we went for preop testing, they showed him around and gave him a coloring book that described the hospital. We also went to Build a Bear and made a ninja turtle bear the day before surgery to help him get through it. It all definitely helped!!

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

My DS had this surgery as well right before he turned 3. I showed him the "booboo" & told him we are going to see the Dr in the hospital so that he can fix it. All of the nurses at LIJ were great. They really try to give the kids lots of attention. My DS was fine. DH went in with him & we were both there when he woke up.

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

I told mine the truth. They were going to cut into her throat and remove that lump. She'd be asleep and when she woke up it would be over. I acted like it was the most ordinary thing in the whole world.

She hates the blood pressure cuff and that part she cried (it hurts) the rest she just didn't care. They gave her some meds then rolled her away. I said I'd be right on the other side. She was woozie and waved us bye. Made a big deal about the ride on the stretcher.. how cool! They even went back and forth a bit so she thought it was hilarious!

She woke up with an IV in her arm but she didn't know WHAT it was.. just that there's tape and a thing on her hand. She cried when the pulled it out but otherwise recovery was fairly easy.

The issue came when we had to go back to have the stitches removed. She HATED that. I held her down and so did two nurses. Honestly it didn't hurt, but a person coming at you with scissors to your throat is a bit scary. She was over it before we left the place.

I too haven't been diligent using scar removal cream :( But its also something she likes to show off "Check out my scar!"

She's been under the knife for her tubes, her neck and for her teeth.

Oh and I liked that they drew a smiley face on the spot they'd cut in, she thought that was cool.

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

DS was 4 when he had surgery. Our hospital sent us good suggestions on how to talk to him. I told him about the sleepy medicine, talked a little about the procedure and that when he woke up, he might be in pain, but we would give him medicine. I also told him he would get a special toy for being so brave.

He had a similar surgery to your DS. He was out of it when he woke up and was in a bit of pain that night. It was amazing how quickly he recovered. He didn't need pain medication after 24 hours. His recess activities were restricted for a while, but daycare handled it well and gave him other things to do. Good luck!

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

Thanks everyone ! Started talking to him today and he understands more than I thought.

He told dh about it when he got home from work and then proceeded to say daddy your pee pee is big too (ds has an enlarged scrotum on one side) maybe you should come and get yours fixed too

Re: How to prepare a toddler having surgery?

My son had Kidney surgery when he was 3. He had had issues on and off for the last 6 months with no diagnosis and then came crawling on the floor into my bedroom on a Sunday at 6AM screaming that his belly hurt. I took him to the hospital and finally, after an ambulance transfer at 10 PM that night he had surgery. He had a blockage in the ureter that leads from the kidney to the bladder. It was congenital and unusual that is occured at his age. He had surgery that Tuesday.

We explained that he was going to get his belly fixed. We sat with him in the prep area. Child life came with some toys and crayons. He was able to bring his binky(dont judge) We were actually shocked that he walked away with the nurses without crying as he was very attached and stranger shy. The surgery took 4 hours and he was uncomfortable after. It took him a long time to wake up, when he did he was a little upset, but not too bad. We were released 2 days later and about a week later he wanted to roll around in the grass with his brother.