Preparing your child for surgery
The first upsetting incident in the child's operative experience may be in learning that he is to have an operation. Under most circumstances this happens at the doctor's office, and the manner in which it is broached will depend on the wisdom of the physician involved.
If possible, the child should be told four to six days prior to the date of surgery. This allows the child enough time to ask questions and have fears addressed. Each child is an individual and should be approached in an individual manner.
The following preoperative preparation ideas should be considered:
- The child must be dealt with in an honest manner: In other words, do not lie to the child and say that he or she will not hurt. The truth will be a bitter pill to bite when the child does have pain.
- Emphasize the pleasant things that your child will encounter: Things such as Disney on TV and video games that the child will be able to play, if there are these forms of entertainment.
- The parent should try to find out what particular fears or questions a child has and deal with them directly. Young children might fear that their parents will leave them at the hospital. They should be told that this will not be the case!
Copyright © May 2000 by Ken Jones. If you have any pediatric educational needs,
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