Tips for Teens Having Surgery
Informed Consent | Preparing for Surgery | Morning of Surgery l Getting Ready l Surgery l After Surgery
Informed Consent and Advance Directives
If you are an adult patient age 18 or older who has the ability to make an informed decision, you have the right to make your own medical treatment decisions.
Preparing for Surgery
- Talk to your parents about your surgery and the need for it. If you still have questions or would like to see the hospital before the day of your surgery:
- Attend the Teen Tour (preoperative program for teens 12 and older) at Cincinnati Children's. Call 513-636-8298 to schedule.
If you wear contact lenses, be sure you pack your contact lens case. You are welcome to bring a portable CD-player, Gameboy, pillow, or other items that comfort you. While we don't advise it under any circumstance, on the day of surgery, do not smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs. These cause health risks that can cause your surgery to be unsafe and therefore cancelled.Back to Top
At Home on the Morning of Your Surgery
- You will need to remove all nail polish and make-up.
- You will need to take out ALL piercings, even plastic ones.
- Cell phones may be used in the surgery waiting area, so bring phone numbers of people you would like to call.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
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Getting Ready for Surgery at the Hospital
- Your nurse will ask you a lot of questions to get to know you. The nurse will measure your blood pressure and oxygen level, listen to your heart and take your temperature.
- Don't be afraid to speak up, ask questions or tell people how you're feeling. We look to you to tell us how you like to be cared for.
- We respect your privacy. We want you to feel comfortable. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you to feel more comfortable.
- All patients have to change clothes before going to surgery. You can keep your underwear on unless it is necessary to remove them for your surgery.
- All girls ages 12 and older will take a pregnancy test by giving a small urine sample once you are here at the hospital.
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Your Surgery
- When it is your turn to go to the operating room, you will separate from your family. They will be escorted to the waiting room.
- Before you fall asleep in the operating room, a nurse will place stickers on your chest and finger. They are used to monitor your heart. A blood pressure cuff will be placed around your arm.
- In the operating room you will be given anesthesia or "sleeping medicine" through an intravenous (IV) tube to make you fall asleep. You can ask about receiving laughing gas or numbing medicine before you are given your IV.
- You will stay asleep and feel nothing during your surgery.
- When the surgery is done, anesthesia is stopped and you will begin to wake up.
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After Surgery
- You will be in the recovery room until you wake up. However, patients who will go to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after surgery wake up in their ICU room.
- You can decide when you would like your family members to join you in the recovery room. This is a good thing to talk about before you go to surgery. In our experience, teenagers usually like to sleep in the recovery room for long periods of time.
- When you wake up, you may notice that you have a sore throat. This is normal and could be from receiving oxygen while you were asleep.
- Tell the nurses or doctors if you have any discomfort or pain so that they can help you. Pain medicines can be given in the IV or as a pill, when needed.
- If you are staying the night, your parents or guardians can stay with you. Friends and other family members may visit between 8 am and 8 pm. In the ICU, visitors must be over 14 years old.
- You must not drive or work immediately after your operation or while you are still taking prescription medicines other than Tylenol" or antibiotics.
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