When your child needs surgery, it can be a stressful and emotional experience for the whole family. As a parent, being prepared and knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety and make the process smoother for both you and your child. This article provides tips on how to prepare your child for surgery, what to expect if your child needs surgery, and how to help support their recovery.
Preparing Your Child For Surgery
With the exception of emergency surgeries, most operations for kids are scheduled several months in advance. While it can feel frustrating to wait for a surgery that can help your child, this time spent waiting is also useful. It allows you to prepare yourself and your child.
Common surgeries in kids include tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies. To learn more, read this article: Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids in Children: An Integrative Approach.
Talk to Your Child About What to Expect During Surgery
One of the best ways to help your child prepare for surgery is to talk about the process. Use age-appropriate language to explain what will happen before, during, and after surgery. Encourage your child to ask questions and share any fears or concerns. For younger kids, use stuffed animals or dolls for role play, and read picture books together.
If your hospital has a Child Life Department, take advantage of this resource. Child Life Specialists are trained to help children and families cope with the stress of medical procedures. They can often offer pre-surgery tours, role-play activities, and other support to help your child feel more at ease.
These articles might be of help, too: 6 Strategies To Support A Child Struggling With Anxiety and Symptoms Of Anxiety In Children.
Two Months Before Surgery
In the months leading up to your child’s surgery, it is important to focus on nutrient intake and caring for the immune system. This will help your child go into surgery strong and healthy and avoid any potential delays due to illness.
Focus on a diet rich in nutrients, particularly antioxidants and B vitamins, to support your child’s detoxification pathways and to make sure their body has all the nutrients it needs to mount a strong healing response. Foods like eggs, leafy greens, and whole grains are excellent sources of B vitamins, and colorful fruits and veggies supply plenty of antioxidants.
Immune-supporting supplements like elderberry, zinc, and vitamin C can help keep your child’s immune system strong. Just be sure to let your child’s team know they are using these supplements as you may be asked to stop them in the days leading up to surgery.
Especially during the winter months, I tend to recommend parents try to minimize their child’s exposure to sick individuals in the weeks leading up to surgery to avoid illness. If your child has a respiratory infection on the surgery date, surgery will likely be postponed.
The Night Before Surgery
With your child’s surgery fast approaching, here are some tips for the night before:
Follow All Pre-Op Instructions
Your medical team will provide specific instructions that will more than likely include orders to keep your child NPO (a medical abbreviation that stands for “nothing by mouth,” which comes from the Latin phrase nil per os). Fasting before surgery is critical to reduce the risk of complications with anesthesia (1).
If your child does get their hands on a snack during their fasting window, please let your medical team know. I promise it’s not the first time and your team will not be angry, they’ll just be glad to have the opportunity to ensure your child’s safety.
A pre-surgical bath or shower is often recommended to lower infection risks. For kids, this usually means a bath at bedtime the night before the surgery and taking care to use a clean towel, clean sheets, and fresh pajamas.
Packing A Bag For Your Child’s Surgical Procedure
Now is the time to get your hospital bag together. I recommend bringing comforting items for your child, such as a favorite toy, blanket, or book. Be prepared for time spent waiting around. For older kids, this is a time where I am all for video games or iPads! If your child’s surgery involves an overnight stay, be sure to pack essentials for that, too. I like to bring my own shower essentials and lotion, as hospital air gets dry and the hospital supplied toiletries can be harsh on the skin.
Most hospitals will want to see your child consume and keep down some fluids before discharging them. For babies, your teams will want to see that they are consuming breast milk or formula. For kids who are old enough for solids, popsicles, juice, or even soda will likely be offered. In my experience, the hospital-provided options are not usually the best, and so I recommend parents bring their own. Some ideas include organic juice boxes, applesauce pouches, homemade smoothies in an insulated thermos, or bone broth.
Make A List
I suggest making a list of things you’d like to tell or ask your child’s team once you arrive at the hospital. The morning of the surgery can bring some emotions, so it might be hard to remember. Write down any allergies your child has, any supplements they’ve been taking, and any symptoms your doctor should know about. Make note of any preferences your child might have, such as pills versus liquid medications. If you have any questions about recovery, write them down as well so you don’t forget to ask.
A Note About Flu Shots
Some hospitals now offer to administer the influenza vaccine while children are under anesthesia for surgery. It is worth noting that beyond the usual considerations surrounding vaccination an additional factor comes into play when vaccinating during or immediately after a surgical procedure. Your child’s body will already be working hard to process and detoxify the anesthetics and medications required for the surgery. Adding a vaccine to the mix might place additional stress on the body during this already demanding time. You have the option to decline the flu shot if you feel it’s not the right time. A simple “not today” is an easy and effective way to communicate your decision.
To learn more about considerations for successful vaccination, read these articles: 5 Key Points For Successful Vaccination and 6 Ways To Support Your Child’s Health On Vaccination Day
What To Expect Post-Operation: The First 48 Hours
It can be helpful to have an idea of what to expect immediately after your child’s procedure. All kids are different, and recovery will depend on what kind of surgery your child underwent. However, you can reasonably expect for your child to experience some anesthesia side effects like nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness during the first 24 hours or so post-op (2). These are normal responses to anesthesia and should improve on their own. It is important to have your child avoid strenuous activity for about 48 hours (or more, if your doctor advises it), as your child may feel unsteady due to lingering effects of anesthesia.
Managing Post-Surgical Pain and Discomfort in Kids
It is incredibly important to follow the pain management plan provided by your child’s doctor. This is not the time to shy away from medication if it’s needed to keep your child comfortable. While homeopathic remedies, herbals and topicals like arnica can be helpful for occasional discomfort, swelling, or bruising, they do not take the place of conventional medication when it comes to post-surgical pain. That said, you can request dye-free options, and you can support your child’s gut-lining and detoxification pathways to help them deal with the pain meds they’re taking. More on that below.
Nausea is also common post-surgery. Ask your doctor about anti-nausea medications if your child struggles with queasiness after anesthesia, and keep greasy and spicy foods to a minimum. Ginger can be helpful, too.
If your child is recovering from a surgery that affects the mouth or throat, like a tonsillectomy, cold foods like smoothies or ice cream can be very soothing. Be sure to continue to offer small, frequent sips of water, herbal teas, or diluted juice to keep your child hydrated.
Post Surgical Healing and Recovery at Home
Healing requires energy and nutrients. Focus on meals that are nutrient rich and easy to digest. For young babies, breast milk and formula are still best. If antibiotics are part of your child’s post-op care, some extra gut-support can be helpful for restoring gut health. Incorporate probiotics through foods like yogurt and include probiotic supplements.
To learn more, read this article: Restoring Gut Health After Antibiotics: A Guide For Families
Once your child is feeling better, you can shift focus to supporting their body’s natural detoxification pathways to help them process the anesthesia and medications they were exposed to.
Ensuring adequate hydration and proper elimination is generally a good starting place. You may also want to consider incorporating gentle liver-supporting foods, like dandelion greens, beets, and cruciferous vegetables, into their diet as well as incorporating probiotic supplements and foods like kefir and sauerkraut.
For more information on detoxifying anesthesia, read this article: Detoxing Kids From General Anesthesia: A Guide for Parents
Summary
As a parent, watching your child go through surgery is never easy. While it’s natural to feel anxious, knowing what to expect and preparing both yourself and your child can help ease nerves and ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Leading up to the procedure, focusing on nourishing your child’s body and building their strength is helpful. During recovery, your priority will shift to providing comfort and promoting healing. Once your child feels better, supporting gentle detoxification and gut health can help their body recover from the anesthesia and medications used during surgery.
Friends, I encourage you to lean on your medical team; they’re there to guide and support you. But above all, trust your instincts. No one knows your child better than you do!
References:
- Ricci, Z., Colosimo, D., Luca Saccarelli, Pizzo, M., Schirru, E., Giacalone, S., Mancinelli, P., Baldini, G., & Serio, P. (2024). Preoperative clear fluids fasting times in children: retrospective analysis of actual times and complications after the implementation of 1-h clear fasting. Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44158-024-00149-3
- American Society of Anesthesiologists. (2024). Made For This Moment: Anesthesia, Pain Management & Surgery. https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/anesthesia-101/effects-of-anesthesia/
