It’s a scary prospect, but it’s important to get as much information as possible. Here are the questions to ask when your child needs surgery.
It’s a sentence no parent wants to hear: “your child needs surgery.”
Unfortunately, many issues can require pediatric surgical intervention — tonsillectomies, ear tube placements, or other conditions can mean your child has to go under anesthesia and be admitted to the hospital.
While it’s a situation that almost certainly causes anxiety for any parent, you can empower yourself before the procedure by asking the right questions. Knowing what to expect, complications to be aware of, and timelines for healing can give you a reasonable outlook and help ease any undue stress.
Here are the questions to ask when your child needs surgery.
General questions
If you’ve never had surgery yourself before, you may be wondering what the process is like. Here are some general questions you should ask your pediatrician:
1. What time will we need to get to the hospital?
2. When should my child stop eating or drinking in preparation for the surgery?
3. Who will be in the operating room while the surgery takes place?
4. How is anesthesia administered?
5. Can a parent be in the room while anesthesia is being administered?
6. Where do parents wait while the surgery takes place?
7. Where should we park when we arrive to the hospital?
8. Is there anything specific my child should do in preparation for the surgery?
Procedure-specific questions
No two surgeries are the same, so you’ll need some more specific information that pertains to the procedure your child is undergoing:
1. Are there are any alternatives treatments for this condition besides surgery?
2. How long will my child be under anesthesia?
3. What kind of anesthesia is given?
4. How long does the procedure usually take?
5. What are the risk factors for this procedure?
6. How long will my child have to be in the hospital?
7. Are there any side effects that happen as a result of this procedure?
8. How is this procedure done? Laparoscopically, or with more invasive measures?
9. After the surgery is completed, when can I expect an update from you on my child’s status?
Post-op and recovery questions
Most surgeries are usually quick, taking no more than a few hours. But the recovery can take quite a bit longer, reaching days, weeks, or months before your child feels totally “back to normal.” Here’s what to ask to gauge your child’s recovery process:
1. How long will it take for my child to fully recover?
2. When can my child return to school/daycare?
3. When can my child return to normal activity?
4. When can my child eat or drink regularly? Are there any food or beverage restrictions?
5. What are some potential complications I should be aware of? And what is the course of action if those complications occur?
6. When do I schedule a follow-up appointment?
7. What is the long-term prognosis after surgery?
8. What medications will my child need post-surgery?
9. What is done to manage pain post-surgery?