Preparing Your Child For Surgery

As a parent or caregiver, preparing yourself for your child’s surgery can be a daunting task. Actually preparing your child for surgery can be overwhelming. The Pediatric Unit at University Medical Center has a team of child life specialists ready to help you in this task.

These professional child life specialists work with staff to ensure that your child receives the best care possible during his stay. They are specifically trained to help children adjust to hospitalization.

Child life specialists offer pre-admission tours before the child's surgery. During these tours children and family members will experience where they will stay, meet some of the staff and explore some of the medical equipment that they will see during their hospital stay.

Our anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses and other staff will do their best to explain procedures and hospitalization to your child. You as a parent have an important role as well. Here are some tips to help you prepare your child for surgery:

• Infants: It is not possible to prepare an infant for surgery and hospitalization. However, by preparing yourself as a parent or caregiver you will prepare your child. Children under the age of 1 year rely almost totally on cues from parents in how to react in a new situation. If you appear calm and confident, your child will pick up on that and be more relaxed as well. Take a tour so you are more comfortable.
  
  
• Toddlers 1 to 3 years do not understand the concept of time. Avoid telling your child about surgery more than one or two days in advance. At this age toddlers are trying to develop a sense of control, and are learning to understand the world around them. Allow them to feel a sense of control by letting them choose a favorite toy, stuffed animal or blanket to bring to the hospital with them. Realize that your child will be fussier as time approaches and that behaviors will change. Be patient and try to remain calm because just as with infants, this age group still looks to their parents on how to react in a new situation.
  
  
• Preschoolers are curious at this age and want to know what to expect. Resist the urge to “protect” them by withholding information. Preparation is necessary. Tell your child about the upcoming surgery 3 to 5 days in advance. Preschoolers have vivid imaginations so use simple words and reassuring explanations. Avoid details. Children at this age often view hospitalization as a form of punishment, so reinforce the idea that they did not do anything wrong to cause the surgery. Take a hospital tour, read a few books related to the hospital, and play with medical kits to help prepare your child for surgery.
  
  
• School-Aged Children 6 to 12 years old want more details of what they’ll experience in the hospital. Let them know what to expect before, during and after surgery. Be prepared to answer your child’s questions and talk about their fears and concerns. Remember, honesty is the key.
  
  Take advantage of the hospital’s pre-admission tour and meet with a Child Life Specialist who can assist you in preparing your child.
  
  This age group often worries about how the surgery might change the way their body looks. Be honest and supportive of them during this inquiry. Encourage your child to help pack his or her own suitcase, including family photos and comfort toys or activities that might help them during the recovery process.
  
  
• Adolescents/teens need to be included in all discussions and decisions about their hospitalization. This age group is striving for independence and surgery often makes them feel more dependent. Try to give your teenager some feeling of control throughout the hospitalization. Respect their need for privacy and be supportive of their thoughts and feelings. They may have concerns they don’t want to share with you. Feel free to contact the child life specialist and arrange for a tour prior to admission.