How do you explain surgery to a toddler?

[Write-brained]

My three-year-old is undergoing outpatient surgery tomorrow. It's a fairly common procedure that should correct some problems she's been having but I'm really nervous because they're going to put her under. It's her first time and these chronic problems have made her frightened of hospitals.

Any parents out there with experience in these matters? How would/did you explain this?

 

[Cadet]

WB, I don't have kids but I'm sure this is nerve-wracking. Good luck.

As for the explanation, here's the best I've heard: I had knee surgery as a teenager and was in a full leg brace, all wrapped up and scary-looking, for a while. One day I went outside to get the mail and saw the neighbors, who had four little kids. The youngest, about three, looked really worried and asked what was wrong with me. I didn't know where to begin answering, so the mom just said "her knee hurt, so they had to cut it to make it better." That was a good enough explanation for the kid.

 

[girl friday]

write: first, I want to send along my very best wishes for your little girl. my princess is 4 1/2 and I know how much you worry when they're healthy, let alone when they're less-than-so.

here's my two cents: tell her she's going to take a nap, and hopefully, when she wakes up, she'll feel a lot better/her problems will go away. if there's a medicine or other treatment she has to do that she doesn't like that maybe you won't have to do post-surgery, highlight that. most of all, and I'm sure you know this, just reassure her that everything will be OK, and that you'll be right there when she wakes up.

and a new toy/DVD/book or a big balloon (don't they all love balloons?) will probably help too.

i hope everything turns out well

 

[Cadet]

Can't take balloons in latex-free hospitals, just an FYI. But she had better get a good toy out of this!

 

[girl friday]

Can't take balloons in latex-free hospitals, just an FYI. But she had better get a good toy out of this!

point taken, Cadet. I was thinking about one of those big foil ones, the shapes and such. those dang things cost at least $12, but at least they last a while...

 

[Write-brained]

Thanks, girls. Didn't think about a toy, to be honest with you. That's a good idea.

I've thought of the nap thing. I'm pretty sure that's how I'm going to explain it. I'm just not looking forward to it.

Thanks again.

 

[Cadet]

Can't take balloons in latex-free hospitals, just an FYI. But she had better get a good toy out of this!

point taken, Cadet. I was thinking about one of those big foil ones, the shapes and such. those dang things cost at least $12, but at least they last a while...

Ooh, good call on the foil balloon. That should make her day!

 

[Write-brained]

Update: Surgery went well. We're home. She's fine. Just miserable and a bit pissed off.

 

[BTExpress]

Tell her to take out her frustrations on this guy:

 

[Montezuma's Revenge]

Just tell her that if he never wakes up again, it means she's in heaven.

(ducking.)

 

[outofplace]

W-B, glad to hear she's ok. I think all of us with little ones can sympathize. Hope you got her something to cheer her up. It's amazing how materialistic the little buggers are, isn't it?

And Montezuma, I was going to quote that and respond, but I'd suggest deleting it instead. Not funny. Not one tiny bit.

 

[Cadet]

Glad to hear it, WB. Miserable and cranky is nothing a little ice cream can't fix. [/pms]

 

[Sxysprtswrtr]

Update: Surgery went well. We're home. She's fine. Just miserable and a bit pissed off.

Glad to hear all went well.
Why pissed off?

 

[Write-brained]

W-B, glad to hear she's ok. I think all of us with little ones can sympathize. Hope you got her something to cheer her up. It's amazing how materialistic the little buggers are, isn't it?

And Montezuma, I was going to quote that and respond, but I'd suggest deleting it instead. Not funny. Not one tiny bit.

Thanks, OOP, I bought her Charlotte's Web and we're starting to watch it now ... As for Montezuma, I ignored it but I wouldn't complain if he deleted it.

 

[Write-brained]

Update: Surgery went well. We're home. She's fine. Just miserable and a bit pissed off.

Glad to hear all went well.
Why pissed off?

Because we told her it would help her not be sick all the time but that's not how she's feeling right now, which is all that matters at that age ...

 

[outofplace]

W-B, glad to hear she's ok. I think all of us with little ones can sympathize. Hope you got her something to cheer her up. It's amazing how materialistic the little buggers are, isn't it?

And Montezuma, I was going to quote that and respond, but I'd suggest deleting it instead. Not funny. Not one tiny bit.

Thanks, OOP, I bought her Charlotte's Web and we're starting to watch it now ... As for Montezuma, I ignored it but I wouldn't complain if he deleted it.

Cool. Let us know how she likes it. My little one is about the same age and hasn't seen that one yet. Most things with animals are usually a safe bet.

And as far as the other thing, you have more patience than I do. He's either not a parent and just clueless or a complete ass. Not sure which.

 

[Montezuma's Revenge]

W-B, glad to hear she's ok. I think all of us with little ones can sympathize. Hope you got her something to cheer her up. It's amazing how materialistic the little buggers are, isn't it?

And Montezuma, I was going to quote that and respond, but I'd suggest deleting it instead. Not funny. Not one tiny bit.

Thanks, OOP, I bought her Charlotte's Web and we're starting to watch it now ... As for Montezuma, I ignored it but I wouldn't complain if he deleted it.

Cool. Let us know how she likes it. My little one is about the same age and hasn't seen that one yet. Most things with animals are usually a safe bet.

And as far as the other thing, you have more patience than I do. He's either not a parent and just clueless or a complete ass. Not sure which.

Oh, **** off. I'm a parent, and my kid means the world to me, but I'm sorry: If you're seeking parental advice on an anonymous message board, then you're asking for foolishness.

 

[girl friday]

write - glad to hear that everything went well. hope she's feeling tip-top soon, driving you crazy as all three year olds should

 

[Write-brained]

W-B, glad to hear she's ok. I think all of us with little ones can sympathize. Hope you got her something to cheer her up. It's amazing how materialistic the little buggers are, isn't it?

And Montezuma, I was going to quote that and respond, but I'd suggest deleting it instead. Not funny. Not one tiny bit.

Thanks, OOP, I bought her Charlotte's Web and we're starting to watch it now ... As for Montezuma, I ignored it but I wouldn't complain if he deleted it.

Cool. Let us know how she likes it. My little one is about the same age and hasn't seen that one yet. Most things with animals are usually a safe bet.

And as far as the other thing, you have more patience than I do. He's either not a parent and just clueless or a complete ass. Not sure which.

Oh, **** off. I'm a parent, and my kid means the world to me, but I'm sorry: If you're seeking parental advice on an anonymous message board, then you're asking for foolishness.

Only from fools. You want to out yourself, that's fine with me.

 

[Write-brained]

write - glad to hear that everything went well. hope she's feeling tip-top soon, driving you crazy as all three year olds should

Thanks, gf.