Preparing Your Child For Surgery
You should explain in advance to your child what is about to happen, in as much detail as possible, simply and reassuringly.
Children who are scheduled for a tonsillectomy should be warned that they will experience a sore throat and that swallowing will be painful after the operation, but that parents and medical personnel will do everything possible to minimize it.
- Many hospitals have coloring books and storybooks for children. These will help your child cope with the experience.
- It is important to not give your child anything to eat or drink-not even water- for at least 8 hours before surgery. If surgery will be done in the morning, this generally means no food or beverages starting at midnight the night before.
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Need To Know:
Tell your surgeon:
- about any medications your child is taking and ask whether these should be temporarily stopped.
- about any family history of anemia, clotting disorders, unusual bleeding, or bruising.
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Need To Know:
Once your child is admitted to the hospital:
The child should have unlimited access to parents or other adults who are important to them. You should be with your child immediately before the trip to the operating room and at the bedside when he or she returns from surgery. Direct explanation and language that the child can understand is always the best policy.
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