Surgery can feel daunting for parents, just as much as for children, but sometimes focusing on what you can control helps. When you find yourself wondering or worrying, you can try shifting that energy into what you can do to make it just that much easier.
Surgery can feel daunting for parents, just as much as for children, but sometimes focusing on what you can control helps. When you find yourself wondering or worrying, you can try shifting that energy into what you can do to make it just that much easier.
We’ve put together checklists with all of our best tips on how you can prepare to ensure a smooth recovery for your child, starting right now if you wish!
Pre-Surgery Checklist
Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist
Ongoing Healing Checklist
Surgery Recovery FAQs
Here are some common questions we receive about recovering after surgery.
How long will recovery take?
This depends on so many different factors that it would be impossible to generalize. We’ve given a very general timeline in our recent blog post.
What supplies should I have at home?
You should have any prescription medication (you can request these from your doctor in advance to avoid having to pick up a prescription after surgery). It’s worth asking your doctor if you should have any over-the-counter painkillers on hand and if so which kind? You’ll also need wound care supplies, such as gauze, surgical tape, bandages, antiseptic solution, healing balm, ice packs, etc.
How do I manage pain after surgery?
Before your surgery, ask your doctor about pain management. What medication will you need and what is the dosage? Should you apply ice packs to the area? What can you do if the pain intensifies?
When can my child resume normal daily activities or exercise?
We’ve given a rough timeline of when your child will be able to resume daily activities and exercise here.
How much pain will they be in?
We’re afraid this is another unknown! It’s different for everyone, and there’s no way to predict it. However, you should absolutely have a pain management plan in place with your doctor.
How do I take care of stitches?
We have a whole blog post dedicated to this very topic! Check out our guide, Suture Removal After Surgery: What to Expect & How to Care for Healing Skin.
How will I know if something’s wrong?
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident going into surgery. Healing is a process, and taking care of your child’s health post-surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Keep monitoring their progress, follow your doctor’s advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure at any point in your child’s healing journey.
Pre-Surgery Checklist
- Set up a special resting area just for your child with cushions (to elevate the area), blankets, tissues, and their favorite calm activities, like crossword puzzles, a book, a folding table with a puzzle. Kids get restless easily, so anything you can do to make their resting space more exciting and novel will help entice them to rest.
- You can also purchase some new loungewear or pajamas to encourage your child to rest. For younger kids, favorite characters can go a long way.
- Fill the freezer with meals and snacks (soft foods if needed, liquids for those recovering from jaw surgery).
- Fill any prescriptions you’ll need in advance and gather any medical supplies that may come in handy (bandages, ice packs, gauze, antiseptic spray, etc.).
- Arrange for any help you might need, like grocery runs, chores, childcare, or pet care.
- Adjust your home for mobility (remove tripping hazards and keep necessities within reach).
Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist
- Follow your doctor’s post-surgery instructions carefully.
- Encourage rest as much as possible.
- Keep your child hydrated.
- Serve nutritious meals, snacks, and liquids.
- Give medications as prescribed, setting a timer to make sure you don’t miss a dose.
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
- Keep incisions clean and dry, following your doctor’s wound care instructions.
- Watch for signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding, fever, or severe pain.
Ongoing Healing Checklist
- Gradually increase movement with short walks to prevent stiffness, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
- Stick to nutrient-dense foods to support healing.
- Continue to encourage your child to get plenty of sleep and rest.
- Make sure you have any follow-up appointments scheduled and report any concerns to your doctor.
- Your child should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or any activities restricted by your doctor.
- Maintain proper wound care to prevent infection.
- And the most important tip: listen to your body—if you push too hard too soon, you are likely to set yourself back on your healing journey. Kids are not patient by nature, so be prepared to constantly remind them of this!
Surgery Recovery FAQs
Here are some common questions we receive about recovering after surgery.
How long will recovery take?
This depends on so many different factors that it would be impossible to generalize. We’ve given a very general timeline in our recent blog post.
What supplies should I have at home?
You should have any prescription medication (you can request these from your doctor in advance to avoid having to pick up a prescription after surgery). It’s worth asking your doctor if you should have any over-the-counter painkillers on hand and if so which kind? You’ll also need wound care supplies, such as gauze, surgical tape, bandages, antiseptic solution, healing balm, ice packs, etc.
How do I manage pain after surgery?
Before your surgery, ask your doctor about pain management. What medication will you need and what is the dosage? Should you apply ice packs to the area? What can you do if the pain intensifies?
When can my child resume normal daily activities or exercise?
We’ve given a rough timeline of when your child will be able to resume daily activities and exercise here.
How much pain will they be in?
We’re afraid this is another unknown! It’s different for everyone, and there’s no way to predict it. However, you should absolutely have a pain management plan in place with your doctor.
How do I take care of stitches?
We have a whole blog post dedicated to this very topic! Check out our guide, Suture Removal After Surgery: What to Expect & How to Care for Healing Skin.
How will I know if something’s wrong?
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:
- Intense or increased pain that does not improve with pain medication
- Increased warmth, swelling, or redness around the affected area
- Pus or unusual discharge from the area
- Fever
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident going into surgery. Healing is a process, and taking care of your child’s health post-surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Keep monitoring their progress, follow your doctor’s advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure at any point in your child’s healing journey.
We’ve put together checklists with all of our best tips on how you can prepare to ensure a smooth recovery for your child, starting right now if you wish!
Pre-Surgery Checklist
Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist
Ongoing Healing Checklist
Surgery Recovery FAQs
Here are some common questions we receive about recovering after surgery.
How long will recovery take?
This depends on so many different factors that it would be impossible to generalize. We’ve given a very general timeline in our recent blog post.
What supplies should I have at home?
You should have any prescription medication (you can request these from your doctor in advance to avoid having to pick up a prescription after surgery). It’s worth asking your doctor if you should have any over-the-counter painkillers on hand and if so which kind? You’ll also need wound care supplies, such as gauze, surgical tape, bandages, antiseptic solution, healing balm, ice packs, etc.
How do I manage pain after surgery?
Before your surgery, ask your doctor about pain management. What medication will you need and what is the dosage? Should you apply ice packs to the area? What can you do if the pain intensifies?
When can my child resume normal daily activities or exercise?
We’ve given a rough timeline of when your child will be able to resume daily activities and exercise here.
How much pain will they be in?
We’re afraid this is another unknown! It’s different for everyone, and there’s no way to predict it. However, you should absolutely have a pain management plan in place with your doctor.
How do I take care of stitches?
We have a whole blog post dedicated to this very topic! Check out our guide, Suture Removal After Surgery: What to Expect & How to Care for Healing Skin.
How will I know if something’s wrong?
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident going into surgery. Healing is a process, and taking care of your child’s health post-surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Keep monitoring their progress, follow your doctor’s advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure at any point in your child’s healing journey.
Pre-Surgery Checklist
- Set up a special resting area just for your child with cushions (to elevate the area), blankets, tissues, and their favorite calm activities, like crossword puzzles, a book, a folding table with a puzzle. Kids get restless easily, so anything you can do to make their resting space more exciting and novel will help entice them to rest.
- You can also purchase some new loungewear or pajamas to encourage your child to rest. For younger kids, favorite characters can go a long way.
- Fill the freezer with meals and snacks (soft foods if needed, liquids for those recovering from jaw surgery).
- Fill any prescriptions you’ll need in advance and gather any medical supplies that may come in handy (bandages, ice packs, gauze, antiseptic spray, etc.).
- Arrange for any help you might need, like grocery runs, chores, childcare, or pet care.
- Adjust your home for mobility (remove tripping hazards and keep necessities within reach).
Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist
- Follow your doctor’s post-surgery instructions carefully.
- Encourage rest as much as possible.
- Keep your child hydrated.
- Serve nutritious meals, snacks, and liquids.
- Give medications as prescribed, setting a timer to make sure you don’t miss a dose.
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
- Keep incisions clean and dry, following your doctor’s wound care instructions.
- Watch for signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding, fever, or severe pain.
Ongoing Healing Checklist
- Gradually increase movement with short walks to prevent stiffness, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
- Stick to nutrient-dense foods to support healing.
- Continue to encourage your child to get plenty of sleep and rest.
- Make sure you have any follow-up appointments scheduled and report any concerns to your doctor.
- Your child should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or any activities restricted by your doctor.
- Maintain proper wound care to prevent infection.
- And the most important tip: listen to your body—if you push too hard too soon, you are likely to set yourself back on your healing journey. Kids are not patient by nature, so be prepared to constantly remind them of this!
Surgery Recovery FAQs
Here are some common questions we receive about recovering after surgery.
How long will recovery take?
This depends on so many different factors that it would be impossible to generalize. We’ve given a very general timeline in our recent blog post.
What supplies should I have at home?
You should have any prescription medication (you can request these from your doctor in advance to avoid having to pick up a prescription after surgery). It’s worth asking your doctor if you should have any over-the-counter painkillers on hand and if so which kind? You’ll also need wound care supplies, such as gauze, surgical tape, bandages, antiseptic solution, healing balm, ice packs, etc.
How do I manage pain after surgery?
Before your surgery, ask your doctor about pain management. What medication will you need and what is the dosage? Should you apply ice packs to the area? What can you do if the pain intensifies?
When can my child resume normal daily activities or exercise?
We’ve given a rough timeline of when your child will be able to resume daily activities and exercise here.
How much pain will they be in?
We’re afraid this is another unknown! It’s different for everyone, and there’s no way to predict it. However, you should absolutely have a pain management plan in place with your doctor.
How do I take care of stitches?
We have a whole blog post dedicated to this very topic! Check out our guide, Suture Removal After Surgery: What to Expect & How to Care for Healing Skin.
How will I know if something’s wrong?
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:
- Intense or increased pain that does not improve with pain medication
- Increased warmth, swelling, or redness around the affected area
- Pus or unusual discharge from the area
- Fever
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident going into surgery. Healing is a process, and taking care of your child’s health post-surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Keep monitoring their progress, follow your doctor’s advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure at any point in your child’s healing journey.
We’ve put together checklists with all of our best tips on how you can prepare to ensure a smooth recovery for your child, starting right now if you wish!
Pre-Surgery Checklist
Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist
Ongoing Healing Checklist
Surgery Recovery FAQs
Here are some common questions we receive about recovering after surgery.
How long will recovery take?
This depends on so many different factors that it would be impossible to generalize. We’ve given a very general timeline in our recent blog post.
What supplies should I have at home?
You should have any prescription medication (you can request these from your doctor in advance to avoid having to pick up a prescription after surgery). It’s worth asking your doctor if you should have any over-the-counter painkillers on hand and if so which kind? You’ll also need wound care supplies, such as gauze, surgical tape, bandages, antiseptic solution, healing balm, ice packs, etc.
How do I manage pain after surgery?
Before your surgery, ask your doctor about pain management. What medication will you need and what is the dosage? Should you apply ice packs to the area? What can you do if the pain intensifies?
When can my child resume normal daily activities or exercise?
We’ve given a rough timeline of when your child will be able to resume daily activities and exercise here.
How much pain will they be in?
We’re afraid this is another unknown! It’s different for everyone, and there’s no way to predict it. However, you should absolutely have a pain management plan in place with your doctor.
How do I take care of stitches?
We have a whole blog post dedicated to this very topic! Check out our guide, Suture Removal After Surgery: What to Expect & How to Care for Healing Skin.
How will I know if something’s wrong?
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident going into surgery. Healing is a process, and taking care of your child’s health post-surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Keep monitoring their progress, follow your doctor’s advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure at any point in your child’s healing journey.
Pre-Surgery Checklist
- Set up a special resting area just for your child with cushions (to elevate the area), blankets, tissues, and their favorite calm activities, like crossword puzzles, a book, a folding table with a puzzle. Kids get restless easily, so anything you can do to make their resting space more exciting and novel will help entice them to rest.
- You can also purchase some new loungewear or pajamas to encourage your child to rest. For younger kids, favorite characters can go a long way.
- Fill the freezer with meals and snacks (soft foods if needed, liquids for those recovering from jaw surgery).
- Fill any prescriptions you’ll need in advance and gather any medical supplies that may come in handy (bandages, ice packs, gauze, antiseptic spray, etc.).
- Arrange for any help you might need, like grocery runs, chores, childcare, or pet care.
- Adjust your home for mobility (remove tripping hazards and keep necessities within reach).
Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist
- Follow your doctor’s post-surgery instructions carefully.
- Encourage rest as much as possible.
- Keep your child hydrated.
- Serve nutritious meals, snacks, and liquids.
- Give medications as prescribed, setting a timer to make sure you don’t miss a dose.
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
- Keep incisions clean and dry, following your doctor’s wound care instructions.
- Watch for signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding, fever, or severe pain.
Ongoing Healing Checklist
- Gradually increase movement with short walks to prevent stiffness, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
- Stick to nutrient-dense foods to support healing.
- Continue to encourage your child to get plenty of sleep and rest.
- Make sure you have any follow-up appointments scheduled and report any concerns to your doctor.
- Your child should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or any activities restricted by your doctor.
- Maintain proper wound care to prevent infection.
- And the most important tip: listen to your body—if you push too hard too soon, you are likely to set yourself back on your healing journey. Kids are not patient by nature, so be prepared to constantly remind them of this!
Surgery Recovery FAQs
Here are some common questions we receive about recovering after surgery.
How long will recovery take?
This depends on so many different factors that it would be impossible to generalize. We’ve given a very general timeline in our recent blog post.
What supplies should I have at home?
You should have any prescription medication (you can request these from your doctor in advance to avoid having to pick up a prescription after surgery). It’s worth asking your doctor if you should have any over-the-counter painkillers on hand and if so which kind? You’ll also need wound care supplies, such as gauze, surgical tape, bandages, antiseptic solution, healing balm, ice packs, etc.
How do I manage pain after surgery?
Before your surgery, ask your doctor about pain management. What medication will you need and what is the dosage? Should you apply ice packs to the area? What can you do if the pain intensifies?
When can my child resume normal daily activities or exercise?
We’ve given a rough timeline of when your child will be able to resume daily activities and exercise here.
How much pain will they be in?
We’re afraid this is another unknown! It’s different for everyone, and there’s no way to predict it. However, you should absolutely have a pain management plan in place with your doctor.
How do I take care of stitches?
We have a whole blog post dedicated to this very topic! Check out our guide, Suture Removal After Surgery: What to Expect & How to Care for Healing Skin.
How will I know if something’s wrong?
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:
- Intense or increased pain that does not improve with pain medication
- Increased warmth, swelling, or redness around the affected area
- Pus or unusual discharge from the area
- Fever
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident going into surgery. Healing is a process, and taking care of your child’s health post-surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Keep monitoring their progress, follow your doctor’s advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure at any point in your child’s healing journey.
If you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.
If you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.