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What part about surgery is most stressful for teenagers? Teenagers are able to understand the reasons for surgery and often have many questions and concerns. Adolescents like to be active participants in deciding what happens to them, including the kind of care they receive. Parents need to act as partners with their teens in making health care decisions. Recognizing the fears that teenagers commonly have when going to a hospital will help you in your preparations. Common fears and concerns may include the following:
• loss of control
• being away from school and friends
• changes in appearance
• loss of body function (such as not being about to participate in activities or sports afterwards)
• fear of surgery and its risks
• pain
• dying during surgery
• fear of the unknown
• fear of what others will think about them being sick or in the hospital What can I do to help my teenager get ready for surgery? • It is usually best if teens are included in the talks with the medical team. He/she should be involved in any decisions. • Teens need to know what part of the body will be operated on, what to expect following surgery, and what the long-term benefits of surgery will be. Most teens want to know what they will feel and what the recovery process will be like. • Teenagers are often reluctant to admit that they do not understand explanations. Parents and health care professionals may need to explain treatment in several different ways, without making the teen feel uncomfortable. • Encourage your teen to pick out and bring a few items from home, such as books, hand-held video games, a CD or tape player, and comfortable clothes. Teens are often less self-conscious walking around the hospital or hanging out in bed wearing his/her own clothes or pajamas. • Ask friends from school to send cards or call during recovery. • Before and during hospitalization, your teen may go through frequent mood swings. This may be one way your teen shows his/her nervous feelings. It is important to be patient and understanding. Your teen can become withdrawn and may not want to talk or answer questions. There are times when he/she may need to be alone. • Let your teen know that it is acceptable to be afraid and to cry. He/she might need to know that you have the same worries that they do. Reassure him/her of your support. • Be truthful when answering questions. Teenagers may become angry if they think people are keeping secrets from them. He/she needs to understand what is wrong with his/her body. How the information is given may be as important as the information itself. • Privacy is very important to your teenager. Teens are often as private about their thoughts and feelings as they are about their bodies. It is necessary to always respect their privacy. What should I expect the day of surgery? It is extremely important that you have followed all of the instructions that were given to you by your child's surgeon during the preoperative visit. The day before surgery, someone will call you from the hospital to tell you the exact time to bring your child to the hospital. You will be instructed where to go and when to stop giving food and drink to your teen. It is very important to follow these rules. Arriving at the wrong time or allowing your teen to eat and drink after the prescribed times can cause delays in surgery, or perhaps even postpone or cancel it. It is recommended that you make arrangements for other siblings to be cared for at home. Your attention needs to be focused on your teen having surgery. Before coming to the hospital, remove any jewelry (i.e., watches, necklaces, or earrings) that your teen wears and leave them at home so they are not misplaced. Also, have your teen remove nail polish so that the color of the nail beds can be observed during surgery and afterwards. What should I expect at the hospital? • Before surgery, you and your child will be taken to the surgical holding room. • Your child will change into hospital pajamas and the nursing staff will get your child ready for the operation. • Your child will be given an identification bracelet to wear, and the nurse will check your child’s temperature, blood pressure and oxygen level. None of these procedures should be uncomfortable for your teen. • You and your teen will meet with several people from the surgical team. This includes the anesthesiologists and operating room nurses. They will ask you many of the same questions about allergies, medications and your teen's medical history. They will also tell you more information about the operating room procedures. • Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time for your teen. A variety of activities for all ages are available. Reading a story, watching a movie, or playing a video game are all good ways to help your teen relax and re-focus. • Most often, teens are given a relaxing medicine through IV before they go to the operating room. This helps your teen calmly separate from you. • Before your teen leaves for the operating room, reassure him/her that you will be waiting close by. Members of the anesthesia team will take your teen to the operating room. The nurse will show you where to wait while your teen is in surgery. • When the surgery is over, the surgeon will speak with you to let you know how the operation went. What should I expect after surgery? After the operation, your teen will be taken to the recovery room (called the PACU or Post Anesthesia Care Unit). Once your teen is settled into the recovery room, you will be able to join him/her. Your teen will stay in the recovery room while the anesthesia wears off. Your teen’s vital signs will be monitored, and he/she may be connected to several machines, including an IV (intravenous) pump. Ask the nurse about any equipment you do not understand. Depending on the type of surgery, your teen may be sent home or will go t • The children’s unit to recover for 24 hours or less
• The children’s unit to recover for several days
• An intensive care unit to recover, then to the regular children’s unit until time for discharge | 
