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Surgery

Hearing that your child needs surgery can be stressful for the whole family. We cannot remove all the anxiety, but the goal of the health care team is to make the experience as easy as possible. We believe that you know your child best. We will try to support your efforts to calm your child’s fears and help him or her to grow stronger from the experience.
 

Setting the date

 
The surgeon contacts the hospital to arrange the surgery and then gives you a date. Hospital Admitting phones you about one week before this date to pre-register your child.
 
A nurse from the Day Care Unit will call you one working day before the procedure. She will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
 
Day care surgery: Many surgeries, dental treatments and tests are booked as day care surgery. This means your child is able to return home on the same day.
 
Admit day of surgery: patients come in on the day of the surgery and are admitted to a hospital bed for a longer stay.
 
If your doctor wants tests and measurements before the surgery, a nurse will call to set up a time for your child to go to the Pre-admission Clinic.

What to bring

 
Essentials:
  • Surgery appointment information (i.e. doctor’s name, department name and location)
  • Name, address and telephone number of your referring doctor
  • Name, address and telephone number of your family doctor (if different from above)
  • BC CareCard
  • Blue hospital ID card (if your child has one from a previous visit)
  • The completed medical history form, if one was given to you.
  • An empty bottle if you have a baby who likes a special nipple.
Nice to have:
  • Housecoat and slippers for your child (not essential)
  • Loose fitting clothes for your child to go home in
  • Pillow and bed linen if you, the parent or guardian, plan to stay overnight with your child
  • A comfort item for your child (favorite toy or blanket).
  • Books, small toys, magazines if your child is being admitted to hospital.
Your child should have a bath and hair washed. Please remove any makeup, nail polish or jewelry from your child.
 

Preparing your child for surgery

 
Finding out about the procedure
Find out as much as you can about the procedure. If you know what to expect, you will be able to better help your child.
  • Be honest
    Be honest with your child about what will happen. Children can tell when you are not being truthful.
  • Talk to your child
    Tell your child why the procedure is necessary. For example, “The doctor knows a way to stop the earaches. She is going to put little tubes in your ears. We won’t be able to see them, but they will help you hear better and take the ache out of your ears."
  • Find out what your child already knows
    Ask your child to tell you what he or she knows or fears. "What is an operation?" "Do you know how they do it?" Sometimes playing with dolls, medical toys and masks or drawing pictures is easier for children than explaining.
  • Have a discussion with your child
    Discuss with your child what the hard parts of the procedure may be. Will it be climbing onto the bed? Will it be the instant of the needle poke? Plan some way of getting over this time.
These plans work best if you go over them a few times before the day. Children younger than four years old do better with a shorter preparation. Use a calm, soothing voice to reassure your child.
If you would like more specific advice on preparing your child for surgery, please contact the Child Life Department. The Child Life staff can give you specific advice on how to best prepare your child for surgery.

Fasting
 
Be sure that you know and understand the fasting instructions your child needs to follow before surgery. An empty stomach is an important part of your child’s safety during an anesthetic. If your child does not follow the fasting instructions, then the surgery or procedure could be postponed.
 
During the surgery
 
The staff in the Day Care Unit will show you where to wait. If you go for a walk or leave for a snack, tell the volunteer and write your name and where you are going on the communication board. If you are in your child’s room, ask the unit clerk for a pager so that we can let you know as soon as you can join your child.
 
After the surgery
 
After the surgery or procedure, your child goes to the Post-anesthetic Care Unit. This unit is staffed with nurses trained to care for children recovering from an anesthetic or heavy sedation. While your child is unconscious, a nurse will give care to your child only. After your child wakes, the nurse may divide attention between your child and one other.
 
The safe recovery of your child is always our first concern. In the Post-anesthetic Care Unit, the staff must be able to respond quickly. A crowded space is not easy to move through. This is why we ask that only one family member stay with the child.
 
Your child may be confused and restless after the medication and surgery. Please keep the stretcher side rails up unless you have checked with your child’s nurse. Stay near your child’s bedside and respect the privacy of other patients and families. You can bring your child’s favourite toy, pillow, or blanket into unit. It will help your child feel secure.
 
When your child is ready, she or he returns to Day Care or goes to the ward.
 
Discharge from Day Care
 
Children all recover differently. The time when your child will be ready to return home is not known exactly. The staff will give you a general idea. Before you leave, the nurse will discuss the care your child will need at home.
 
We strongly advise that someone drive you home so you can give full attention to your child. If no family or friend is available, consider taking a cab. We advise you not to travel home with your child on the bus.
 
For more information, please see Preparing for Your Child’s Surgery or Procedure.
 
The Family Resource Library has several resources to help prepare your child for a visit to the hospital.