After the Procedure

What To Expect At Home

Activity When You Get Home

The staff at Cincinnati Children's Hosptial Medical Center recommends that you watch your child’s activities closely the day of the procedure. Your child may be drowsy and may nap or sleep on and off for the rest of the day.

Your child’s sense of balance may be unsteady for 24 hours after anesthesia.

Support your child as he walks or crawls; avoid steps
Do not allow your child to bike, play sports or drive
Encourage quiet activities: reading, watching television, or playing video games

What to Drink and Eat at Home

Do not force your child to eat, but encourage him to drink because fluids will probably make your child feel better.

Offer clear liquids such as water, soft drinks, juices, Kool-Aid®, Gatorade®, popsicles
Then move on to light foods such as soup, crackers, dry cereal and formula
Slowly work up to solid foods and milk

Sometimes nausea and vomiting can happen after anesthesia, and it may take a while before your child is ready to eat. If your child has some vomiting, wait a little while before trying clear liquids again. Slowly move on to eating.

How to Care for Discomfort, Fever or Irritability

Your child may have some discomfort, run a slight fever, or be irritable after the procedure. Another common temporary side effect after anesthesia is a sore throat or hoarse voice.

Some things that may help your child be more comfortable include:

A pain reliever/fever-reducing medicine, if recommended by your child’s doctor
Taking deep, steady breaths; holding or rocking your child; rubbing his back
Cool liquids or popsicles to soothe a sore throat
Resting in a comfortable space, doing familiar things, gently offering your child reassurance

Pharmacy at the Burnet Campus

Prescriptions can be filled in the hospital pharmacy (Location B, Burnet Campus, first floor). The pharmacy accepts most insurance plans.
You may drop off your child’s prescriptions while your child is recovering in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit.
The pharmacy opens at 9 am Monday to Friday. Closing and weekend hours vary. Check with your nurse for closing time information.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is available at a reduced cost.

Easing Anxiety and Behavior Changes After a Procedure

Some children show temporary behavior changes for up to two weeks. Your child may act younger or have new fears; some children may show changes in their mood or sleeping pattern.
Be patient and supportive; give your child time to adjust
Return to a normal routine to help your child feel secure
Playing hospital, drawing pictures and reading books about the hospital may help
Scrapbooking or journaling about the hospital experience may help an older child

Call Your Doctor With Any Questions or Concerns

Please call if your child is having problems such as:

Being unable to hold down clear liquids and has not urinated within 6 to 8 hours
Running a fever that will not go down with a fever-reducing product and liquids, or fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
Experiencing pain that is excessive, or cannot be comforted
Having more drainage/bleeding or swelling than you expected at the surgery site
Showing signs of infection (swelling, redness, foul smell, drainage or prolonged fever)
Excessive sleepiness, or cannot be awakened easily
Showing behavior changes that seem extreme or last longer than you expected