if your child got tubes...

[sjh722]

Did you both go to the surgery? Just one?

H is figuring out his schedule. DD1 is scheduled to get tubes Tuesday morning. (yay!)

[cherry1111]

We both did. It was good to have someone to wait with while DS was in surgery even though it only took 10-15 minutes.

[Brie]

We both did, but it wasn't really necessary, in hindsight.

[VillainV]

C is getting tubes on Monday. My husband has to work, so I'm taking C myself. My parents are visiting so my mom will probably come with us. From what I've heard, it's a very simple procedure, so I think one parent is probably sufficient. If your husband can get that morning off, it might be nice to have two people (extra hands, extra snuggles, etc).

[electricmayhem]

DD1 has tubes.  We both went the first time.  They ended up being crappy and we had them replaced four months later; only I went.  (DH was actually going to take her, but then DS got sick that morning so he stayed home with him).  I liked having both of us there the first time because I really had no idea what to expect and it was nice to have support, but once we did it, it was no issue for only one of us to go the second time.

[undecidedowl]

We both went, which was nice but unnecessary. I would rather have DH save his time for a potential sick day if I had to make the choice.

[shamrockshake]

we both did, both times. We didn't really need 2 of us but both of us wanted to go so we did

[Deleted]

We both did. The first time we didn't know what to expect so we both went. The second time it was also an adenoidectomy and I needed H there because J was still completely out of it when they discharged us. One of us needed to be in the back with him on the way home.

Generally, we both go to any specialist appointments though and just I take the kids to regular pedi visits.

[SpartanGirl]

We both did. It wasn't really necessary but DD2 wanted us both there (she just had it done this past summer - she's 5). Our neighbor offered to babysit the other kids for us so it worked out.

[kdubs923]

We both went, which was technically unnecessary. Only one parent was allowed to go to into the OR with DS to be put under.

But it was nice to have someone to wrangle the toddler while filling out insurance/medical info. And having another person in the waiting room during the 15 minute procedure. Also, DS was a little wild coming out of anesthesia, so it was nice to have someone trade off with until he figured out what was going on.

I could have done it on my own (and you can too, if needed!) but the extra hands never hurts.

[mrsfarmer]

We both went. DD1 is a complete daddy's girl and we wanted her to wake up with him as they can be agitated; we weren't sure what to expect.

[Deleted]

Both did and both times. First time was adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy as well and an overnight stay. Glad DH was there. Second time probably not necessary for both of us as it was just tubes but I am a wuss and don't want to go into the operating room and deal with DS1 getting put under.

[CloudBee]

Just me, and it was ok.

DH was going to go, but he came down with a BRUTAL case of hand foot and mouth, so he was at home under quarantine, and with his hands soaking in bowls of ice.

DS was 16 months old. It was pretty manageable. I wish I had someone to give me a hug after I had to leave DS in the OR, but really, it went ok. The nurses were SO nice, and played with DS so I could go to the bathroom, etc.

A few months ago DS had a sedated ABR (specialized hearing test) and was under general anesthesia. DH came then, and I was thankful. That was actually more traumatic for DS because he needed an IV.

With tubes they generally just gas, or gas first. So it's not as hard on everyone.

[ginkgoleaf]

We both went, but only one of us got to go back for the anesthesia part. I had DH do that, it was terrible when DS got anesthesia before an MRI and I didn't want to see it again.

[londoncalling]

We both went for DD1 the first time (9 mo). I just went with her when she had to have one removed and her eardrum patched (3 yo). I would have been OK with her for her first surgery. She wasn't very nice waking up from anesthesia both times, but they didn't discharge us until she was more relaxed.

[CrazyLucky]

We both went. For both kids.

[sjh722]

CloudBee, she will need an iv. (H's family has a history of malignant hyperthermia so it has to be done under general at the hospital.)

That's a good point. I'll probably ask him to come with.

[abs]

DD was 2 and we both went. My mom was also there. Total overkill but we were nervous and not sure what to expect. Turns out tubes are super easy. Takes longer for paperwork and prep than anything else.

She was very groggy and needed lots of cuddles after she woke up. I was glad to have more hands.

[scsarah]

We both went. Kind of overkill since he just needed the gas, but it was really nice to have a spare person to occupy him while I was doing forms, etc.

Plus, it was fun to have someone with me to laugh at all the odd things you see in Los Angeles hospitals.

[CloudBee]

Sept 24, 2015 11:16:39 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

CloudBee, she will need an iv. (H's family has a history of malignant hyperthermia so it has to be done under general at the hospital.)

That's a good point. I'll probably ask him to come with.

Consider calling the hospital (ask for anesthesiology) or your ENT, and ask if they gas, first. Many do with kids. The only reason DS wasn't gassed before his IV for the sedated ABR was because they don't gas for that procedure at all. It wasn't done in an OR, so they only offer IV sedated (portable pump and monitoring equipment) in a procedure room with an anesthesiology team. In an OR I bet they would have gassed him.

[sjh722]

Sept 24, 2015 11:29:18 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Sept 24, 2015 11:16:39 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

CloudBee, she will need an iv. (H's family has a history of malignant hyperthermia so it has to be done under general at the hospital.)

That's a good point. I'll probably ask him to come with.

Consider calling the hospital (ask for anesthesiology) or your ENT, and ask if they gas, first. Many do with kids. The only reason DS wasn't gassed before his IV for the sedated ABR was because they don't gas for that procedure at all. It wasn't done in an OR, so they only offer IV sedated (portable pump and monitoring equipment) in a procedure room with an anesthesiology team. In an OR I bet they would have gassed him.

I believe the malignant hyperthermia is what means they can't use gas in the first place, unfortunately.

[CloudBee]

Sept 24, 2015 11:58:18 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

Sept 24, 2015 11:29:18 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

...

I believe the malignant hyperthermia is what means they can't use gas in the first place, unfortunately.

Bummer.

Good luck! They gave DS nasal versed (stung) which they said would work faster than oral (bitter). I think they also put numbing cream on his arm.

[Blue Moon]

Just my H took DD because I couldn't take off. He was fine alone in the surgical center but struggled on the way home when DD puked all over herself. If I could have gone, I would have for sure.

[Deleted]

We both did, both times. The first time DH took him in and I came later, with DD too as she was only a few months old. DS was still nursing at that point.

Last time was the andenoidectomy too, with general. General was worse for him coming out and being pissed, as was the IV. I was glad to have two of us to juggle his rage.

[KaraOrNot]

We both did, but Ollie has had complications after surgery before, so we were worried. It went well, so in hindsight, only one of us needed to be there.