My daughter had the surgery done last december. She had just turned three. The hospital we were had had a wonderful child life staff. They staffed the preop room. She had brought her stuffed dog as her security toy. While in preop they got the dog ready for surgery with an iv and a cathether. She was allowed to dress up in doctors clothes and walk into the surgical suite. The iv and cathether were not put in until she was asleep we talked about them when she woke up and she was fine with them. My daughter like most three year olds has issues with power and control. Whenever we could offer choices we did. The child life staffer came in and removed the dogs cathether and we discussed it while she comforted the dog. She fussed briefly when the doctor removed the cather but only for a few minutes. The balloon holding it in is completely deflated before they pull it out. I think for her it was not painful but more of an odd and undesired feeling. IF there is a child life staff sometimes they will come in if you ask and talk your child through the procedures. I was amazed a t how quick she recovered. She was trying to get out of bed to play the day after surgery. I asked for a little sedation to keep her down since they did not want her moving around at that point. Definately bring a ton of her favorite videos.