In order to get any dental work done, she has to be knocked out. BUT- the dentist won't do it at his office because of her seizure disorder, so we need to go to the hospital, AND the hospital our insurance is accepted at only gets a visit from this dentist once a month. *sigh* But we special needs moms are used to it, right?
The Prep
1. Take a bath and remove all nail polish the night before. I also braided her hair to make leaving the house easier for hospital day. Just up, go potty, get out the door!
2. Nothing to eat or drink (except seizure medication) starting at midnight the night before.
3. Pack a special blanket, toy, and extra clothes. Bring photo ID and insurance card, as usual.
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| Special toy and blankie are important! |
4. Don't get sick!!! We had to cancel before because Chelsea had a cold, and they won't put her under anesthesia unless she is healthy, since kids have tiny windpipes. I've had her on extra-good probiotics for a month to reduce the possibility of illness.
The Procedure
1. Get registered and checked in, which is usually really early since the little kids haven't eaten. We were there at 5:30 am. Woohoo!!!
2. Get measured and weighed (for anesthesia and record-keeping purposes)
3. Get changed into hospital clothes. (Remember to bring in those extra clothes, because anesthesia sometimes makes kids lose their bladder control!)
4. Doctors and nurses will check to make sure you are healthy! When Chelsea had a cold before, we were sent home at this point; a mucus-y throat can make you stop breathing in the middle of the procedure. Eek!
5. The doctors and nurses ask questions to Mom, then take Chelsea to surgery!!!
1. Get registered and checked in, which is usually really early since the little kids haven't eaten. We were there at 5:30 am. Woohoo!!!
2. Get measured and weighed (for anesthesia and record-keeping purposes)
3. Get changed into hospital clothes. (Remember to bring in those extra clothes, because anesthesia sometimes makes kids lose their bladder control!)
4. Doctors and nurses will check to make sure you are healthy! When Chelsea had a cold before, we were sent home at this point; a mucus-y throat can make you stop breathing in the middle of the procedure. Eek!
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| Chelsea was SOOOO happy! |
5. The doctors and nurses ask questions to Mom, then take Chelsea to surgery!!!
The Recovery
THIS was the super sad part!!!! When kids wake up from anesthesia, they are really sad and grumpy. Chelsea was too, very different from her normal, cheerful self!
1. Keep them hydrated!!!! Try to get fluids in them as much as possible! Remember- the colder the better, so popsicles, juice, ice cream, bingo!!! The doctor also recommended Pedialyte. And NO STRAWS!!! We don't want any dry sockets!
2. Take a nap!!! They will be tired after the procedure, and grumpy too! Taking a nap helps reset their mood- worked great for Little Miss! We went home and napped for 2 and a half hours! (Be sure you don't let them fall asleep in the car on the way home and their head droop down- their airway can be blocked that soon after surgery)
3. Try to stick to bland, soft foods to make chewing easier. Kids usually don't want to open their mouths. Soft mashed potatoes, applesauce, mac and cheese... (I am wondering if Chelsea's teeth were hurting her before, because she didn't follow this expectation- she started devouring anything and everything in sight!)
4. Alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 3-4 hours. Their mouths will hurt, and their throats will too, from the breathing tube! It can take several days to heal; Chelsea was fine after the day of surgery though, with only one complaint of pain before bed the next day.
5. Adult supervision needed for 24 hours after surgery- balance and coordination may be off, so falling could happen.
6. Watch for throw-up! Once is considered normal (though Chelsea didn't), but any more than that, call the doctor ASAP
Good luck!!!
THIS was the super sad part!!!! When kids wake up from anesthesia, they are really sad and grumpy. Chelsea was too, very different from her normal, cheerful self!
1. Keep them hydrated!!!! Try to get fluids in them as much as possible! Remember- the colder the better, so popsicles, juice, ice cream, bingo!!! The doctor also recommended Pedialyte. And NO STRAWS!!! We don't want any dry sockets!
2. Take a nap!!! They will be tired after the procedure, and grumpy too! Taking a nap helps reset their mood- worked great for Little Miss! We went home and napped for 2 and a half hours! (Be sure you don't let them fall asleep in the car on the way home and their head droop down- their airway can be blocked that soon after surgery)
3. Try to stick to bland, soft foods to make chewing easier. Kids usually don't want to open their mouths. Soft mashed potatoes, applesauce, mac and cheese... (I am wondering if Chelsea's teeth were hurting her before, because she didn't follow this expectation- she started devouring anything and everything in sight!)
4. Alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 3-4 hours. Their mouths will hurt, and their throats will too, from the breathing tube! It can take several days to heal; Chelsea was fine after the day of surgery though, with only one complaint of pain before bed the next day.
5. Adult supervision needed for 24 hours after surgery- balance and coordination may be off, so falling could happen.
6. Watch for throw-up! Once is considered normal (though Chelsea didn't), but any more than that, call the doctor ASAP
Good luck!!!
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