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Child and Surgery: How to Prepare and Support Your Child?

A child’s upcoming surgery can cause intense anxiety for parents, mainly due to the unknown, lack of information and additional concerns about their child’s health.

However, there are certain steps that parents can take to better prepare and reduce their anxiety before the surgery.

Practical Preparation

1. Organizing Documents and Items: List all the necessary documents and personal items that you will need to have in the hospital.
2. Nutrition and Directions: Find out when your child should stop eating or drinking, according to the doctor’s instructions.

Information & Communication

1. Seek valid information: Be fully informed about the operation, the procedure, the risks and the expected recovery. Talk to your doctor about all your questions and concerns. A good understanding of what is going to happen can reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
2. Keep your composure: Children are affected by their parents’ emotions. Take care of your mental balance so that you can be more present and supportive.

Emotional Support

1. Calm and optimism: Maintain a calm and positive attitude, as this affects the child’s mood.
2. Honest communication with the child: Explain to the child what will happen in a simple, understandable and reassuring way. Use examples or books to help your child understand the situation and feel more at ease.
3. Description of anesthesia and the procedure: Use carefully chosen words and phrases, such as “they will take care of you so you won’t feel anything,” rather than phrases that may cause fear. For example, when explaining anesthesia, avoid using the phrase “they will put you to sleep,” as it may be associated with the loss of a family pet that “put you to sleep” and never came home. Listen to how your child feels and correct any misunderstandings, such as a fear that the operation is a punishment. Honesty builds your child’s trust in you and the surgical team.
4. Tour and play: A tour of the hospital before surgery can reduce their anxiety as they become familiar with the space, people, and equipment, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Let them play. Play helps children better understand the situation and maintain a sense of normality. This reduces fear of medical instruments and postoperative conditions, making the experience more manageable. Thus, the day of surgery becomes less scary.
5. Favorite objects: Bring a favorite stuffed toy, blanket or book with you to provide a sense of security for the child.
6. Parental presence: Stay close to the child in the anesthesia room and be present when he wakes up. Your presence is crucial.

Support for parents

1. Time management and activities: Bring a book, listen to music, or do something else to keep yourself occupied during the surgery.
2. Debriefing from the surgeon: Be informed about the expected time of the surgery and the debriefing process.
3. Seek support: Talk to other parents who have had a similar experience or with counselors to manage your stress.

Care & Recovery

1. Postoperative care instructions: Carefully follow the instructions for taking medications, diet, and follow-up visits to the doctor.
2. Monitoring the child: Check for signs of infection or other worrying symptoms and contact the doctor immediately if necessary.
3. Emotional support after surgery: Encourage the child to express his feelings and create a positive recovery environment.
4. Activities during recovery: Organize creative activities that suit the child’s abilities, depending on medical instructions.

Surgery, regardless of its severity, can be frightening for parents and children. By following these steps, parents can face the situation with more calm and confidence, creating the best conditions for the child’s recovery. Our team is here to offer you support and comfort at every step of your journey.