Having an operation can also be called ‘having surgery’ or ‘going to theatre’. Many children have operations every day, with specialist doctors and nurses looking after them before and after. Some also have special tests, scans or procedures that need them to be asleep. This is called ‘having an anaesthetic’.
Operations and procedures usually take place at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, or sometimes at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh or St. John’s Hospital in Livingston. This includes endoscopy tests, where a tiny camera looks inside the body to see what’s happening inside, or some types of scan such as an MRI or CT scan. The reason for having an operation or procedure in hospital is likely to be different for everyone.
Some children come to hospital for an operation and go home again on the same day – this is called ‘day case surgery’. Sometimes children are already staying in hospital before their operation, or need to stay on a ward afterwards. If you know that you’ll be having an operation, you’ll find helpful information here about what to expect.
Before my operation
If you are coming for day case surgery, your parent or carer will receive a telephone call from one of the nurses the day before your operation. They will ask questions about how you are feeling, and to go through the plan for the day. This is called a ‘Pre-op assessment’ and helps the nurse to know that you are feeling well and your operation can go ahead.
Most children are asked to come to the hospital on the day – usually sometime in the morning – but some children might stay the night before too. If you are already staying in hospital and you need to have an operation, the doctors and nurses looking after you will talk to you and your family about it, and any checks might be done on your ward.
It is important not to eat before your operation (this is called ‘fasting’) and all children (and adults!) need to do this. It can be difficult but helps to keep you safe. You will be sent a letter with details about fasting and what time this starts, or one of your nurses will explain what to do, if you are already staying on a ward.
My day case operation: Crichton Unit
Most day-case surgery takes place in Crichton Unit which is on Level 1 of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh. The Nurse in Charge is Carol Clapperton, leading a team of senior nurses and experienced staff nurses, all with experience in looking after babies, children and young people. Watch this video to see what to expect on the day.
Your parent or carer will be sent a letter with instructions for where to come on the day. There is a secure door buzzer you can press when you arrive, and a reception desk to check-in. When you arrive, you will meet the nurses looking after you. You will be given a band with your name on it to wear on your wrist. You might also get some magic cream on the back of your hands to make them feel numb. The nurse will need to weigh you and measure how tall you are so that you can be given your sleepy medicine (called an anaesthetic).
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While you are waiting for your turn you will meet your ‘sleepy doctor’ (also called an anaesthetist), your surgeon or another doctor and the play therapist, who will help you understand exactly what will happen. You can ask any questions you have – or get an adult to ask them for you if you’re feeling a bit worried. You can bring a favourite toy or teddy from home, or visit the playroom while you wait for your operation, where there are lots of toys, games and books to play with. There are toilets on the ward and your parent or carer can stay with you all the time. It can seem a busy place with lots of other children, but you can always ask any questions and the nurses will look after you very well.
When it’s your turn, you will go to the anaesthetic room to have some sleep medicine. You might breathe special air through a mask or be given the medicine through a tiny straw in your hand. Your parent or carer can stay with you while you fall asleep and the anaesthetist will stay with you all the time. They will make sure that you are safe and that when you wake up you are comfortable. After your operation, a nurse will be looking after you and will check how you are feeling and offer you medicine if you are feeling sore or sick. You might feel sleepy and like you just want to rest.
Most children will be well enough to go home on the same day. If you need to stay overnight in the hospital for any reason the nurses will have a chat with you and you will be moved to a ward. Your parent, or another adult, can stay overnight with you until you are well enough to go home.
Once you are home you might feel ready to get back to normal straight away. Sometimes you might be given medicine to take with you, or you might need to rest for a few days – it depends on the type of operation you have had. Your doctors and nurses will work out what is safest and talk about that with you. You might need to come back for a check-up a few weeks after your operation, but not everybody does. Sometimes you might see a specialist like a physiotherapist to help with your body movement, or you might see your family doctor. Hopefully, you’ll feel better very soon.
