People have different feelings about coming for surgery. Those feelings may change throughout the journey—this is normal!
Feeling calm helps make surgery a positive experience. Here are some ways to help your child feel calm and relaxed before and on the day of surgery.
Choose the tips that work best for your child to make a plan for surgery day.
Your voice matters—we are part of your team!
Mind-body: Strategies that may help your child’s body and mind feel more relaxed
- Distraction suggestions — these techniques may help with sensory regulation, calming the nervous system and providing healthy distraction.
- Bring your child’s favorite toy - puzzle, stress balls, fidget toys
- Play a game on a tablet/phone; don’t forget your charger!
- Read a book or colour
- Listen to music on your own device; don’t forget your headphones!
- Comforting ideas —may help you and your child create a sense of security and provide emotional support.
- Bring your child’s favourite blanket or stuffed animal
- Spend time with your child— have a hug or cuddle
- Take a moment, try some breathing exercises for kids and teens
- Download a wellness app that works for you, check out this article with some helpful options
Movement: Releases chemicals in the brain that may help you feel relaxed
- Leading up to and on the day of surgery, move — movement can help increase your mood and make you feel calmer:
- stand up
- walk
- tap your fingers
- stretch
- Dance
- fidget
- wiggle your toes
- Moving helps more than you think! Just try it
Medication: May help you feel more relaxed before going into the operating room
- Calming medication (sedation) can help before surgery
- Your pre-op nurse and anesthesiologist will talk to you about the calming medication options
- Calming medications can be given orally (by mouth), intramuscularly (in a muscle like in your arm or leg), intranasally (through your nose) or intravenously (through a vein).
- Your anesthesiologist will review any risks or side effects that you may feel from the medications.
- If you receive calming medication while waiting for surgery, it is important to stay on the stretcher, bed, chair, or stroller.
- The decision to take (or not) a calming medication will be made between you and your anesthesiologist. Your health-care team will make sure you have all the information you need so you can make the choice that is right for you on the day.
You have options, let’s talk about them!
- Please talk to your health-care team, they want to work together with you to make the best plan for you for your surgery day.
- What is important to you?
- Your cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs are respected, and your ceremonies and practices will be supported however best your team can.
At Sickkids