Create a cozy recovery space
It can be helpful to setup dedicated places to rest and heal post op.
This may include:
- A comfortable couch or bed with lots of pillows
- A small lap desk or tray table
- Snacks and water
- Favorite treats
- An iPad, favorite movies and TV shows, games
- Activity books (Highlights, crosswords, coloring)
- A journal to write or draw
Children heal quickly
If your child is having a bump removed, recovery may be quicker than you’d expect.
As one mom shared, “Nothing is broken that needs to heal—just removing something that doesn’t belong.”
Children are often weight-bearing as tolerated, sometimes using crutches (forearm crutches can help with bumpy armpits) or a walker for a couple days before back up and bouncing around.
Keep spirits high
Here are some ideas from MHE parents about how to keep kiddos entertained post-op:
- Single-player games like Kanoodle
- Book series your child enjoys - print or audio
- Easy card or board games
- Distractions like videos of funny animals on YouTube
- Favorite meals
Comfort is key
Your kiddo may find comfort in a trusted stuffed animal, blanket and/or pillow. Sometimes these comfort items help with time in the hospital and pre/post-op spaces.
It can be helpful to adapt clothing to support your child’s healing body:
- Oversized clothing can fit over bandages and incisions.
- Old clothes can be a big help. Cutting seams of shirts or pants can make it easier to dress your child comfortably after surgery.
- Shorts can be a very helpful layer with lower extremity surgery (to avoid pulling pants over incisions/bandages).
Medication administration
- Review materials in detail and contact the care team with any questions.
- Keep a log to track what medications were administered, when, and how much.
- Set alarms or phone reminders to stay on schedule
- If approved by your care team, mix medicine with a small bite of yogurt, ice cream, chocolate sauce, or applesauce to help with taste.
- Sometimes small rewards can help make the experience more positive
Complications happen
As much as everyone would prefer a seamless healing process, complications happen. Call your care team if you are concerned about complications. Dischage instructions often provide a number and guidance.
Care packages
Finally, trust your child’s (and your!) resilience. You’ve got this.
