You will be asked to wear an operating theatre gown, cap and shoe covers. Your child will then be taken into the operating theatre and transferred to the operating table. During the preparatory work and administration of anaesthesia, you can sit close to the operating table and hold your child's hand. When your child has gone to sleep, you will be helped out of the theatre.
Going off to sleep happens very quickly nowadays. This, and having to leave your child in the hands of others, is often difficult. Such feelings are shared by most people who have been in this situation, and what you are feeling is absolutely normal. However, you can feel calm and secure because your child will be watched over very closely during the entire operation, and the staff in the operating suite know all about anaesthesia and do it all the time for children of all ages.
While your child is in the operating theatre, we recommend you try to relax and rest and have something to eat and drink. This will help ensure you can provide the best possible support to your child after the operation.