Surgery is stressful. What helps most is a clear plan you can follow. Below are practical steps you can use in the days and hours before your child’s operation, so you know what to expect and feel more confident.
Confirm the date, arrival time, and fasting rules with the hospital. Bring ID, insurance info, and any referral or consent forms. Make a list of current medicines, allergies, and past reactions to anesthesia. If your child takes daily meds, ask whether to give them the morning dose.
Pack a small bag: comfy clothes, spare underwear, favorite blanket or toy, nightlight, phone charger, and copies of medical records. Include a small snack and drink for after surgery if the team allows it. Don’t forget wipes, a change of clothes for you, and any breathing devices your child uses (inhaler, spacer).
Follow fasting instructions exactly. Common guidelines are: no solid food for 6–8 hours, formula 6 hours, breast milk 4 hours, and clear liquids up to 2 hours before arrival — but always confirm with your team. A small sip of water for medicine may be allowed; check first.
Give a calming bedtime routine. Avoid new or exciting activities that might make your child overtired. In the morning, keep routines simple. Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothing that’s easy to remove and replace.
On arrival, expect check-in, a nurse assessment, and a short wait. The anesthetist will ask questions and explain options. Ask about pain control: what medicines they’ll use and what to expect after. It’s okay to ask for a simple explanation of anesthesia — they want you to understand.
Help your child cope with anxiety by using plain language: “You’ll sleep in the hospital for a bit, and the doctors will help your body get better.” Try role-play with a toy or read a short story about brave kids at the hospital. Deep breathing games and distraction apps work well in the pre-op room.
After surgery, the team will move your child to recovery. They’ll watch breathing, pain, and how well they wake up. Expect nausea or sleepiness for a few hours. Have a pain plan ready: ask when to start home pain meds and the correct dose for weight.
Watch for warning signs: persistent high fever, increasing pain not helped by meds, wound redness or pus, trouble breathing, or decreased urine output. If any of these appear, call the hospital or your surgeon right away.
Before you leave, get clear discharge instructions: activity limits, wound care, meds schedule, signs to watch, and follow-up appointments. Ask for contact numbers and what to do if problems start after hours.
Double-check your checklist on the drive home: meds, paperwork, comfort items. Rest the first 24–48 hours and keep activities light. If you have questions later, calling the surgical team is better than guessing. You don’t have to handle this alone.
