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General pre-op for children with diabetes: Overview
If your child has diabetes, you'll need to take extra care before surgery.
You may need to check your child's blood sugar more often. Your doctor may have you do this for at least 24 hours before and for 72 hours after the surgery.
Your doctor will tell you how to give your child any diabetes medicine. It may not be the same as usual. Each child is different. If you don't get instructions about your child's medicines, ask your doctor what to do. And make sure to ask about anything you don't understand.
How do you prepare for your child's surgery when your child has diabetes?
Surgery can be stressful for both your child and you. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your child's surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Check your child's blood sugar often in the hours before the surgery.
- You will get exact instructions about when your child should stop eating before the surgery. It's important for your child to have an empty stomach before surgery. But this can also lead to low blood sugar.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- Tell the doctors ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies your child takes. Some of these can increase the risk of bleeding or interact with anesthesia. Your doctor will tell you which medicines your child should take or stop before the procedure.
- Remember to follow your doctor's instructions about your child taking or stopping medicines before surgery. This includes over-the-counter medicines.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.