Prepare for Surgery
Planning ahead for surgery helps everything go more smoothly. The information below will help you understand what to expect before your child’s procedure, so you and your family feel confident about the process.
- Know Before You Go
To help your child’s procedure go smoothly, please review and follow these guidelines:
• Avoid dressing your child in makeup or nail polish. Remove any body piercings before arrival.
• Leave jewelry, cash, and valuables at home. The center cannot be responsible for lost items.
• Do not allow your child to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure, or follow the instructions given by the pre-admission testing nurse.
• Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothing such as pajamas.
• Bring a list of all medications your child takes, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.
• Arrange for a responsible adult (18 or older) to drive your child home and stay with them the first night after surgery.
• Have your child wear glasses instead of contact lenses, if applicable.
• A consent form must be signed before surgery. A parent or legal guardian must be present to sign on behalf of the patient.
• Inform staff of any new or changed medical conditions or medications since your last visit.
• If you have not spoken with a member of our care team, please call the center at 346-826-0800 by 4:00 p.m. the day before surgery (or by 4:00 p.m. Friday if the procedure is on Monday).
- Going Home After Surgery
After the procedure, your child will recover in our post-operative area until they’re ready to go home. A provider will review recovery instructions with you and your family before discharge.
Please note:
• Your child cannot leave the center alone if they received anesthesia or sedation.
• A responsible adult must drive your child home.
• Do not allow your child to operate machinery for 24 hours following surgery.
• Patients 21-25 shouldn’t consume alcohol for 24 hours following surgery.
• A member of our care team will call you the next business day to check on your child’s recovery and answer any questions.
Visit our Specialties page to learn how to get ready for your specific procedure.
Anesthesia
Your child’s safety is our anesthesiology team’s top priority. Upon arrival, you’ll meet with an anesthesiologist if your child’s procedure requires their care. Please notify us of any recent changes to your child’s health or medications prior to surgery.
Advance Directives
If you have an Advance Directive for your child, please bring a copy to include in their chart. Because all procedures at our center are elective, Advance Directives that call for the withholding or withdrawal of resuscitative measures are not put into effect while your child is under our care. If transfer to a hospital is required, your Advance Directive will accompany their medical records.