To prepare for your child's surgery, here is a helpful list of what to expect before, during and after the surgery.
Medications before surgery: Follow the specific instructions from your child’s surgeon or nurse. Do not stop or change your child’s medications unless their care team tells you to. Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements your child takes. If you have questions, contact your child’s surgical team.
Day Before the Procedure
- The day before the procedure, a member of our Patient Access team will contact you if there are any pending registration documents. Time of arrival and drinking/eating instructions will be sent via text message after 2:30 p.m.
- Diet: Please follow the dietary restrictions instructions for the day before the surgery. If your child does not follow the “no-eating or drinking” instructions as indicated, the surgery will be delayed or canceled.
Day of Surgery
- ✓ Remember to bring all important documentation including: your child's insurance card, parents'/guardians' identification cards (such as driver's license or passport), and any supporting documents and legal court orders.
- ✓ Add 30 minutes of travel time to account for traffic and parking delays. Patients should have been notified to arrive at least 2 hours prior to their surgery. Please follow the instructions provided in the text message related to the time of arrival.
- ✓ Transportation: Please make sure you have arranged transportation for before and after surgery.
- ✓ Patients 18 years and older must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Please make sure your child does not wear:
- Any jewelry (including piercings)
- Contact lenses (bring eyeglasses)
- Make-up and hair accessories
- Hair gel or hairspray
- Nail polish
To help prevent surgical site infections:
- ✓ Bathe with the anti-bacterial soap (such as Hibiclens Antiseptic) as instructed, the evening before surgery. If surgery is scheduled in the afternoon, also bathe the morning of surgery.
- ✓ DO NOT shave surgical site area.
Talking to your child about surgery
Try to prepare your child for what will happen at the hospital. This can help make your child's surgery day as smooth as possible. Honest communication is the best way to prepare your child for your hospital visit. This is the best way to earn and keep their trust. Explain the situation in simple terms so that they can understand. Be sure to give your child a chance to ask questions and tell you how they are feeling.