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After-surgery recovery is difficult for any person. When it comes to children, a parent must prepare the child, because children can easily be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar kind of discomfort and fear. The child will go to an intensive care unit or a recovery room immediately after surgery (where the anesthesia will wear off). After a certain period of time, the child will be sent home to recover. The information about how to look after your child when it gets sent home from the hospital will be given to you in a discharge summary.The follow-up appointmentsAbout 7-10 days after the hospital discharge, you will have a follow-up appointment, when your child may have a heart ultrasound, chest X-ray, his wounds checked, and see the dietitian. Be sure to follow the appointment schedule, arrive on time and be prepared. Taking care of woundsTypical wounds after a heart surgery are: an incision in the side or the middle of the chest, and smaller wounds where wires and tubes may have been. Check them to see if there are infection signs, such as liquid draining from the wound, swelling, redness, or pain. If you see any of these signs, see the child’s pediatrician. As for stitches and bandages, write down the dates when they need to be taken out. After the scabs fall off, clean the wounds with clean water, baby soap and a soft cloth. Until then, take shallow baths so you do not soak the wounds and protect them from the sun. The wounds will heal completely in about 1 year.Managing the painImmediately after leaving the hospital, while your child is still in pain, he will need to use prescript pain medicine. As time passes, less and less medicine will be needed. If the pain gets worse, consult the family doctor or pediatrician. Always get your prescriptions on time, so you will not lack inrequired medical supplies.Limiting physical activities Your child will need to be cautions for several weeks after the surgery. They should avoid activities that might disturb the wound (until the chest wound is healed). They should protect the chest bone during all activity, avoid pushing heavy objects and pulling self up on furniture. He should avoid any type of activity that could cause a blow to the chest. If your child has disturbed sleep patterns, start feeling fussy or wetting the bed, know that these changes in behavior are normal (for the next 1-2 weeks after the hospital stay).Eating and drinkingChildren with heart issues need more calories and use more energy. However, after a heart surgery, your child may have trouble eating enough. For healthy growth and development, he should eat a well balanced diet of protein, vegetables and fruit.Your child needs to get enough water, or else dehydration will happen. The common signs of dehydration are dry mouth, sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on a baby’s head), and fewer wet diapers. In case of drink refusal, see your pediatrician.Going back to the everyday routine
- Car travelling – Make sure that the child is safe and secured with a seat belt at every moment. If you live out of town, then it might be good to consider staying somewhere near the hospital until your post-operative clinic visit. Go back home when your child’s cardiologist approves it. Avoid travelling if your child has ongoing health concerns.
- Going back to school – Your child can start attending classes about 2 weeks after the operation, or when he feels well enough to attend. He should avoid contact with those who are ill, and remember to wash hands frequently.
When to get help from a nurse or doctor
- In case of emergencies, when you notice troubles in breathing, fainting, and seizures.
- In case of ordinary health concerns regarding injuries from physical activities, rashes, and cold symptoms.
- In case of changes related to your child’s heart problem, such as changes in feeding, breathing, behavior, color; signs of water retention or wound infections.
Learning about required after-surgery care routines is needed for your little one’s safe recovery. In case of suspicious changes or postoperative discomforts, contact your pediatrician, nurse or cardiologist.