What to Expect Following Surgery
This information is designed to help family members learn about recovery from surgery at Comer Children's. You will find information about how children and teenagers commonly react or behave following surgery and anesthesia. This information is general and is not specific to every child who has surgery. Talk to your doctor if you have specific questions.
- Most children or teenagers take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour to wake up after surgery. Time varies from patient to patient. Your child will probably be sleepy the first time you see him or her.
- Waking up from anesthesia may bring about confusing feelings, especially for younger children. It is common for young children to be crying after surgery, and they may not respond immediately to efforts to comfort them.
- Sometimes surgery patients have an upset stomach or feel dizzy following anesthesia. These feelings will pass with time.
- Children may complain of a sore throat following surgery. This is normal and usually lasts for a short time.
- A child’s breathing may sound different after surgery. This is caused by the throat muscles being very relaxed and the child still being sleepy. Breathing should sound normal once they are fully awake.
Your child's anesthesiologist will discuss pain control options with you before surgery. Sometimes, pain medicine is given to the patient before he or she leaves the operating room, which means the child may not be in discomfort when they wake up.
A child who is crying may not necessarily be in pain. Staff will assess your child for discomfort and will treat pain as quickly as possible. Crying may also be due to the child being in an unfamiliar environment.
- Hold your young child in your lap, if possible.
- Take your child or teenager’s hand and talk to them to help comfort and relax them.
- Hold and rock your infant, and use a pacifier to comfort him or her.
- Talk with the nurse if you think your child is having pain but not expressing it to the staff.
- Ask your doctor or nurse questions about the surgery or how to care for your child after surgery.
- Bring your child a familiar comfort item, such as a stuffed animal or blanket. Older children or teenagers may find music from home comforting.
- Encourage your child or teenager to verbalize his or her feelings to determine your child's level of comfort.
