Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL in Denver offers teens, parents and legal guardians helpful support and advice to prepare for surgery.

Teenagers like to be active participants in deciding what happens to them. This also is true when they are hospitalized. When teenagers are included in making decisions about their healthcare, they are more compliant and cope more effectively. Recognizing typical concerns and reactions of this age group will help you prepare your teen for surgery.

Common fears and concerns teens may have about surgery include the following:

• Loss of control
• Being away from school and friends
• Having a part of his/her body damaged or changed in appearance
• Fear of surgery and its risks
• Fear of waking up during surgery
• Fear of pain
• Fear of dying during surgery
• Fear of the unknown
• Fear of what others will think about them being sick or in the hospital

How Do I Prepare My Teenager for Surgery?

Allow your teen to be part of the decision-making process. Encourage him/her to make a list of questions to ask the doctors and nurses.

For a teenager, learning and preparing for surgery should start as soon as the decision to have surgery is made. Reading books, talking with others who have had similar surgery, and reading information on the Internet can be good places to start this process.

At Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, we offer an outstanding Child Life Specialist who can arrange for a hospital tour and an appointment for a preparation session for your child before has surgery.

A tour of the hospital before surgery can help your teen see the sights, hear the sounds, run through the events he/she will experience the day of surgery - and they can even get age-appropriate explanations, including demonstration with actual medical equipment. The tour and preparation will help your child learn about eh hospital and give him/her time to talk about concerns and questions. 

Talk with the Child Life Specialist at 303-839-7717 to arrange for a FREE hospital tour and appointment with the Child Life Specialist.

Explain procedures or what to expect in different ways without making your teen feel uncomfortable.

Teenagers are often reluctant to admit that they do not understand an explanation.Discuss with your teenager about his/her preference in disclosing information to friends at school about the planned surgery and whether he/she would like visitors.

A journal may be a helpful outlet for your teenager to express feelings, concerns and thoughts about his/her surgery.

Encourage your teenager to bring activities, games, books, music, DVDs or other diversions. Also, remind teenagers to pack comfortable clothing to wear such as pajamas or sweats after surgery.

Be patient and understanding with your teenager. Teens may experience frequent mood swings while in the hospital. There may be times when your teenager is withdrawn and does not want to talk or answer questions.

Give permission for your teenager to show or talk about his/her emotions. It may be helpful to share that you also have some of the same worries as they do.

Learn as much as you can about the procedure. This will help you prepare your teenager and help both of you feel better.

Be truthful when answering questions. How information is disclosed is often is as important as what information isgiven. Teenagers have the right to know what is wrong with their body and what will happen with and to them.

Advocate that your teenager's privacy is respected. This includes thoughts, feelings and their bodies.

Helpful Resources for Teens and Parents:

• Coping with a Hospital Stay, by Sharon Carter and Judy Monnig.
• The Patient's guide to Anesthesia, by A.J. Hill.
• Hospital Smarts, by Theodore Tyberg and Kenneth Rothaus.