Separation anxiety after surgery?

[Abigail]

DS had day surgery mid last week. I was there when he went under and just after he woke. His Teddy was there the entire time but his absentee parent was once again absent.

Things have been healing quite nicely physically, however emotionally things are a little... off... he is extremely anxious about me leaving, to the point he will get completely inconsolable... Im not sure if this is just an unfortunate coinciding phase or if there is something from the surgery that has started this. He wont tell me why he doesnt want me to leave, just that he doesnt want me to go anywhere and that he wants me to stay with him.

Ideas on the cause and how to handle it would be very welcome? I dont know what to do.

[Ryatha]

How old is ds? It may just be bad timing and he is just needing the extra attention after the surgery. The separation anxiety does subside, eventually, I found I go with it, offer extra attention and cuddles rather than fight it.

[Abigail]

He is 4. Unfortunately I do have to leave him and when I do its total melt down mode. =/

I think I at least know why now, he told me last night that I "walked away" and that I "wasnt there when [he] woke up". So I think that has a lot to do with how he is feeling about it all. Just not sure what to do about it now.

[Ryatha]

I guess lots of cuddles, getting him to talk about it, maybe drawing it would help him with his feelings. And when you do have to leave let him know when you'll be coming back, like after lunch, or his sleep.

My 3yo went thru this and it is hard, I'm starting to see some improvement when she gets 1on1 with me. Bit hard with 2 others but I try :-/

You can go see your cyh nurse or equivalent as they may have other ideas to help you out.

[Abigail]

Thanks Ryatha. He isnt getting much better, but Im just being patient with him and giving him the time he needs to work through it. Im not sure if Im making it better or worse though. He was always a bit clingy but this is definitely much worse. Hopefully it just needs time.