WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY

Babies:

Learn as much as you can about the surgery so you are prepared and relaxed. Babies can sense your anxiety.
Pick your baby's favorite thing to bring to surgery (blanket, pacifier or toy).

Ages 1-3:

Begin to talk to your child about surgery 1-3 days beforehand. Use simple terms.
Pick a comfort item from home to bring (blanket, stuffed animal, etc....)

Ages 4-6:

Begin to talk about surgery 3-5 days beforehand. Your child might ask questions about what to expect. Be honest.
Pre-school aged children often need reassurance as they sometimes think surgery is a punishment
Use simple, child-friendly explanations of how their body will be fixed.
Playing doctor and reading books about going to the hospital is a great way to get your child to understand.

Ages 7-12:

Begin talking about surgery at least a week ahead of time.
Talk openly and honestly about the surgery using simple, easy to understand words (for example: "IV catheter" is a small straw to give your body a drink of water: "anesthesia" is a medicine to help you fall asleep so that you do not feel anything during surgery).
Prepare your child for things he/she might see or feel (stitches or bandages).

Ages 13 and older:

Begin to talk about the surgery a few weeks ahead of time.
Explain why he/she needs the surgery and encourage questions. Most teens like to have some control of their situation. Let your child take part in the decision making.
Teens may be worried about how they will look like after surgery. Talk to your child about the appearance of the wounds. Ask us for help.
Your child may be worried about waking up during surgery or not waking up at all. Reassure your child that anesthesia is a very safe thing and that he/she will be fully asleep during the surgery.
Respect your teen's need for privacy.

Important safety information for teenage patients:

It is unsafe to mix alcohol, smoking and/or recreational drugs with anesthesia. Although this is rare, if this is the case, your anesthesiologist needs to be aware of your child using any of these substances.
Patients should not drive for 24 hours after anesthesia or during the time they are taking any prescription narcotics.

The Care You Deserve

Weeks before surgery

Babies:

Learn as much as you can about the surgery so you are prepared and relaxed. Babies can sense your anxiety.

Pick your baby's favorite thing to bring to surgery (blanket, pacifier or toy).

Ages 1-3:

Begin to talk to your child about surgery 1-3 days beforehand. Use simple terms.

Pick a comfort item from home to bring (blanket, stuffed animal, etc....)

Ages 4-6:

Begin to talk about surgery 3-5 days beforehand. Your child might ask questions about what to expect. Be honest.

Pre-school aged children often need reassurance as they sometimes think surgery is a punishment

Use simple, child-friendly explanations of how their body will be fixed.

Playing doctor and reading books about going to the hospital is a great way to get your child to understand.

Ages 7-12:

Begin talking about surgery at least a week ahead of time.

Talk openly and honestly about the surgery using simple, easy to understand words (for example: "IV catheter" is a small straw to give your body a drink of water: "anesthesia" is a medicine to help you fall asleep so that you do not feel anything during surgery).

Prepare your child for things he/she might see or feel (stitches or bandages).

Ages 13 and older:

Begin to talk about the surgery a few weeks ahead of time.

Explain why he/she needs the surgery and encourage questions. Most teens like to have some control of their situation. Let your child take part in the decision making.

Teens may be worried about how they will look like after surgery. Talk to your child about the appearance of the wounds. Ask us for help.

Your child may be worried about waking up during surgery or not waking up at all. Reassure your child that anesthesia is a very safe thing and that he/she will be fully asleep during the surgery.

Respect your teen's need for privacy.

Important safety information for teenage patients:

It is unsafe to mix alcohol, smoking and/or recreational drugs with anesthesia. Although this is rare, if this is the case, your anesthesiologist needs to be aware of your child using any of these substances.

Patients should not drive for 24 hours after anesthesia or during the time they are taking any prescription narcotics.

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Weeks before surgery

​

Babies:

Learn as much as you can about the surgery so you are prepared and relaxed. Babies can sense your anxiety.

Pick your baby's favorite thing to bring to surgery (blanket, pacifier or toy).

​

Ages 1-3:

Begin to talk to your child about surgery 1-3 days beforehand. Use simple terms.

Pick a comfort item from home to bring (blanket, stuffed animal, etc....)

​

Ages 4-6:

Begin to talk about surgery 3-5 days beforehand. Your child might ask questions about what to expect. Be honest.

Pre-school aged children often need reassurance as they sometimes think surgery is a punishment

Use simple, child-friendly explanations of how their body will be fixed.

Playing doctor and reading books about going to the hospital is a great way to get your child to understand.

​

Ages 7-12:

Begin talking about surgery at least a week ahead of time.

Talk openly and honestly about the surgery using simple, easy to understand words (for example: "IV catheter" is a small straw to give your body a drink of water: "anesthesia" is a medicine to help you fall asleep so that you do not feel anything during surgery).

Prepare your child for things he/she might see or feel (stitches or bandages).

​

Ages 13 and older:

Begin to talk about the surgery a few weeks ahead of time.

Explain why he/she needs the surgery and encourage questions. Most teens like to have some control of their situation. Let your child take part in the decision making.

Teens may be worried about how they will look like after surgery. Talk to your child about the appearance of the wounds. Ask us for help.

Your child may be worried about waking up during surgery or not waking up at all. Reassure your child that anesthesia is a very safe thing and that he/she will be fully asleep during the surgery.

Respect your teen's need for privacy.

​

Important safety information for teenage patients:

It is unsafe to mix alcohol, smoking and/or recreational drugs with anesthesia. Although this is rare, if this is the case, your anesthesiologist needs to be aware of your child using any of these substances.

Patients should not drive for 24 hours after anesthesia or during the time they are taking any prescription narcotics.

​