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You just found out you need to have an operation. You may be feeling nervous, worried or maybe just wondering about what happens next? This information may answer some of your questions and hopefully help you feel better about coming to the hospital. So, what part about surgery is most stressful for teenagers?
You are certainly old enough to understand the reasons for surgery and may have questions and concerns about what will happen. You can be a partner with your parents in making healthcare decisions. Asking lots of questions will help you understand. Recognizing the things that confuse or scare you will help you talk with your doctors and family. Common concerns that may teens have include:
• Not being in control of things
• 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
• Fear of the unknown…what is really going to happen?
• Fear of what friends may say or think about you Getting ready:
• It is usually best if you are included in the talks with the medical team. You also should be involved in the decisions being made. • You need to know what part of the body will be operated on, what to expect before surgery, 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 some of the medical words. It is alright to ask your parents and healthcare professionals to explain what things mean. So, ask questions! • Before and during hospitalization, you may feel moody and irritable. This may be one way you show your nervous feelings. There may be times when you need to be alone. Remember that it can feel better to talk to someone about it! 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 surgeon during the preoperative visit. The day before surgery, someone from the hospital will call your parent to tell you the exact time to arrive at the hospital. You will be instructed where to go and when to stop eating and drinking. It is very important to follow these rules. Eating or drinking after the time they tell you, could cause delays in your surgery, or even cause it to be cancelled. Before coming to the hospital, remove any jewelry (i.e., watches, necklaces, or earrings) and leave them at home so they are not misplaced. Also, you may be asked to remove nail polish so that the color of your nails can be observed during surgery and afterwards. When at the hospital, you may expect the following to occur:
• Before surgery, you and your parents will be taken to the surgical holding room. • You will have to change into a hospital gown (sorry) and the nursing staff will ask you many questions to help get you ready for the operation. • You will be given an identification bracelet to wear and the nurse will check your temperature, blood pressure and oxygen level. None of this should be uncomfortable. • You and your parents 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 medical history. They will also tell you more information about the operating room procedures. • Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time. There is a VCR and video system to use while you wait. If you’d like, bring in your portable headphones and favorite music from home. Watching a movie, listening to music and talking with your family are all good ways to help yourself relax and re-focus. • Most often the anesthesia doctor or nurse will start your IV before you go to the operating room. This is a small tube placed inside the vein and taped on your hand or arm. The IV allows the nurse or doctor to give you relaxing medicine before you go to the operating room. The medical team will be able to use your IV during your hospital stay. This means fewer sticks for you! • Members of the anesthesia team will take you to the operating room. Your family will be waiting close by and will join you when the operation is over in the Recovery Room. • In the operating room, you receive anesthesia medication through your IV and a mask with fresh air may be placed on your nose and mouth. This medication will cause you to go into a deep sleep. You will not feel anything and will wake up once the operation is finished. After surgery:
After the operation you will be taken to the recovery room (called the PACU or Post Anesthesia Care Unit). Once you are settled in the recovery room, your family will be able to join you. You will stay here while the anesthesia wears off. Your vital signs will be monitored and you may be connected to several machines, including the IV (intravenous) pump. Ask the nurse about any equipment you do not understand. Depending on the type of surgery, you will either be sent home or go t
• The Pediatric unit to recover for 24 hours or less
• The Pediatric unit to recover for several days
• An intensive care unit to recover, then to the regular children’s unit until time for discharge. Staying overnight:
If you’ll be staying overnight in the Children’s Hospital, here are some suggestions to improve your stay with us. • In your hospital room, you will have a TV, telephone and your own bathroom. One parent or family member (over the age of 18 years) is welcome to sleep in the room with you. • Bring a few items from home to keep you busy such as books (homework), hand-held video games, and your favorite music. There are DVD/VCRs available in the rooms so pack some movies or borrow some of ours. • Pack some comfortable clothes. You may feel better and be less self-conscious walking around the hospital or hanging out in bed wearing your own clothes or pajamas. • Ask your friends to call while you are here recovering. They can reach you through the MUSC Hospital operator at (843) 792-2300. • During your free time, check out the Child Life Atrium. This is an activity room designed for fun only! There is a special area just for teens with video games, a pool table and Internet access. MUSC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL VIRTUAL TOURS If you are unable to attend a live tour, learn more about our hospital by accessing our computer tour. Follow the instructions below to connect to the Musckids.com website and find out more about having an operation. - Go to www.musckids.com.
- On the home page, click on Your Hospital Visit.
- From the menu, click on Tour Our Hospital.
- Click next on Pre-surgery tour.
- Now click on Launch tour.
- If your operation will be a same-day surgery, meaning that you’ll go home right afterwards, choose Same Day Surgery.
- Or, if you will be spending the night in the Children’s Hospital, choose Overnight surgery.
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