My baby has to have surgery

Alex had a hydrocele at birth and when I looked at it this morning, it was obviously a hernia now. I took him to the Ped and she agreed. I have an appt with a Pediatric Urologist in 2 days and I hate this. I know he has to have the surgery but I am scared to death about the whole idea of general anesthesia for my little baby. The nurse in me is saying it will be okay and they do dozens of these surgeries every day, but the Mom in me is about to have a breakdown over it and tell the surgeon NO! I had a bad reaction to anesthesia in the past and I know that its laying heavily on my mind. Anyone else's son had this procedure?

 

:hug99: One of my boys has surgery with general anesthesia right around his 1 year birthday. It was very scary but he did great. I have never had a reaction to anesthesia so I am not sure I am much help but just wanted to say everything went fine for him. Keep us posted.

 

Of course that's scary for you! I know the thought of general anesthesia is unnerving, but of course it will be fine! Your little one will recover so quickly! big hugs!

Reyna

 

Our son, Henry, was born with spina bifida and made it through two surgeries in the first month.

While there was no doubt he needed the procedures, I was terrified each time. It really helped to meet with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist prior to each one and hear them say they were going to take good care of my son. It also really helped to hold on tight to his twin in the waiting area and keep replaying them saying them would take good care of Henry.

I was talking with a nurse in the NICU after Henry's second surgery and I told her I didn't know why I was upset and worried. After all, the percentage of complications is quite low. I think she summed it up well when she said percentages don't matter when it is your child.

I hope all goes well - we have quickly discovered that these little guys are really tough!

 

My DS Kevan had hernia surgery in November, at 5 months. Same thing, hydrocele at birth, which later became an obvious hernia. They actually made an incision on the other side, too, just in case -- and good thing, because they had to repair a small hernia there as well.

Your little guy is so young, so they may have you wait awhile for the surgery....it's tough, because kids can go for years without hernias becoming problematic, but you obviously don't want to deal with emergency surgery...so, the doctor will weigh that against the risks of general anesthesia in such a young baby.

Kevan came through the surgery with no problems whatsoever -- but, he had an earlier, more serious surgery for a different issue when he was 11 weeks old, after which he was in the PICU on a ventilator for three days, on a paralytic.

So after that, a little hernia repair seemed like a piece of cake, LOL.

(I'm kidding -- I was a nervous wreck, because general anesthesia for a baby this young means a breathing tube, and Kevan has a larynx issue that makes a tube dangerous for him.)

Anyhow. You will get through it! Feel free to PM me with any questions. Honestly the hardest part of the hernia surgery was not being able to feed him beforehand -- you are nursing, right? At our hospital, they allowed breastmilk 6 hours prior, and clear liquids like Pedialyte 4 hours prior....this is another reason you may want to wait until he's just a little older, and able to go for longer stretches without eating.

Ask about the caudal -- it's like an epidural that numbs the nether regions, so they can use lighter general anesthesia. This worked very well for my DS.

It may calm your fears to "interview" the anesthesiologists at the hospital beforehand. (Oh, and I would absolutely have this done at a children's hospital, for such a young baby.) We had a good experience with the anesthesiologist from Kevan's first surgery, so we requested her for the hernia repair -- and she switched with another doctor to accommodate us. (She was also familiar with his breathing problems, so had a little extra insight.)

I'm rambling, but bottom line -- they wanted to keep Kevan overnight, but he did so well that we brought him home the same day, and that night he was rolling across the room as usual. I think I gave him two doses of Tylenol afterward, and that's it! Your DS will do fine. But, I know it's nervewracking...hugs to you.

 

i have no insight, but i just wanted to send you a hug!

:hug99:

 

My twin girl had surgery close to 6 months of age under general anesthesia because she had a boil which needed to be drained (she had the bacterial infection MRSA, a very resistant strep type). She did very well. The procedure took 30 minutes - 1 hour. She drank well (water / sugar type stuff) right after the surgery, kept it down, was allowed back up to her room and was in very good spirits later (within 1 1/2 - 2 hours she was back to normal). She stayed 2 nights / 48 hours in total. She did amazingly, especially considering we only flew back from Europe less than 48 hours before the procedure (and 24 hours before she was hospitalized).

 

My Older DS had to be put under general anesthesia around 14 months. I was a nervous wreck the whole time. Even though leading up to it and during it will seem like time is standing still, once it is over it will seem like it flew by. When I went back to see my DS right after he came out he was sitting up flirting with the nurses. Let us know how everything goes.

 

:hug99:

 

I know I would be scared to death if my baby was having surgery too. I cry every time mine get shots! But you just have to remind yourself that this is what is best for your baby and that everything will be okay, you are doing something good for him in the long run.

 

My DS has to have a circ revision under general anesthesia, but they won't do it until a year to reduce the risks of the anesthesia. I struggled with the decision, being that it's not life threatening, but the urologist said it will cause problems the older & bigger he gets. He also said that babies around 1 year having that procedure done do better than a 2 yr old, but that still doesn't make me feel much better that he has to go under! He'll be under about 45 mins to an hour & I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck the whole time! I've already started researching anesthesiologists who are most qualified for peds, but luckily I'm finding all the ones at our hospital seem to be pretty experienced.

GL with your LO!

 

:hug99: Please let us know how it goes.

 

:hug99: I'll keep you and your little man in my thoughts. When is the surgery?

 

:hug99:

My brother had open heart surgery when he was 2 weeks old. I can't imagine surgery on any baby. Good luck and your family will be in my thoughts, just keep us updated.

 

We'll find out tomorrow when the surgery is. It will be at a Children's Hospital. I'm familiar with the Dr. and find him to be a total jerk (went to him for my older son a few years ago) but he's supposed to be good. I'm struggling with the whole idea of this surgery, but I don't think there's really a choice about it. I just hate it and wish I could do it for him. I'm trying to remember that God will be with him behind the operating room doors even though I can't be.

I forgot to add, both babies are also getting their tongues clipped next week also.

Poor babies

 

Big hugs to you :hug99: Everything will be just fine!

 

It is so hard to be a nurse and a mommy- you just tend to know too much. Try and relax (easier said than done I know) and remember that he is going to a good hospital and will be in good hands. My son had tubes in his ears around 6 months- then another set before 18 months- he had to have general anesthesia the second time because they took his adenoids too- it was hard- but honestly what helped me the most was getting to go back to recovery and hold him while he was waking up. I think it made it easier on me and him- although it was so sad to see the whole IV thing, and him flinging his tubes off from the oximeter. Just remember that it needs to be done for his health, and your right- I am sure it is performed all the time! I hope everything goes well, and keep us posted.

 

Both of my boys have been put under. I won't lie, I actually cried after they took Jason back. It is a normal reaction. We just want our children to be safe. Jason was 3 at the time & had his tongue clipped. Justin was 4 & had hernia surgery. When it was Justin's turn I still felt the same way. I am sure everything will be ok.

 

QUOTE(SoBlessed @ Mar 5 2008, 10:24 AM) [snapback]653752[/snapback]
We'll find out tomorrow when the surgery is. It will be at a Children's Hospital. I'm familiar with the Dr. and find him to be a total jerk (went to him for my older son a few years ago) but he's supposed to be good. I'm struggling with the whole idea of this surgery, but I don't think there's really a choice about it. I just hate it and wish I could do it for him. I'm trying to remember that God will be with him behind the operating room doors even though I can't be.

I forgot to add, both babies are also getting their tongues clipped next week also.

Poor babies


Why don't you ask the surgeon if he can clip his tounge while he is under? Just a thought.

You also should mention to the anesthesiologist that you have had a reaction before.

Good luck with everything-my children have had a total of 8 surgeries (ear tubes, hernia, blocked tear duct, tonsils, deflux x 2 and adenoids x 2). The earliest surgery was done at 6 months. They all did OK with recovery. The hardest part is giving them up at the surgery room door.

 

I know it's scary but I'm sure your little boy will be just fine. If this is what's best for the baby - you'll have to be strong and let the surgery happen. Keeps us posted. :love0028:

 

QUOTE(3n1n2n2 @ Mar 5 2008, 04:00 PM) [snapback]654551[/snapback]
The hardest part is giving them up at the surgery room door.


That is the part I keep thinking about.