The Day Before, Day of, and Day After

The Day Before Surgery

The day before surgery, the surgical services staff will call you to check on your child’s health status, give you a time of arrival for the next day, update you on feeding instructions and answer any questions.

General feeding instructions are:

No food, milk, formula, or breast milk may be consumed after midnight the day of the surgery.  Your child may only have apple juice, Gatorade, water or Pedialyte up to four hours prior to scheduled surgery time.  These are considered “clear liquids.”  We ask that you do not substitute other juices.  Special Note:  Children 11 months or younger may have breast milk, but only up to six hours prior to surgery.  It is extremely important that these guidelines are followed to the letter.  Be sure to follow these instructions so that your child’s surgery won’t need to be postponed or cancelled.

Suggested items to pack for your child:

• Empty baby bottle or cup
• Special feeding or suction equipment (if needed)
• Bathrobe
• Slippers
• Socks
• Favorite toy or stuffed animal
• Loose-fitting clothes
• Eyeglasses (if needed)

Please remove the following items from your child:

• All jewelry – including earrings
• Fingernail polish
• Hair accessories
• Contact Lenses
• Retainers

The Day of Surgery

Depending on where your child is having surgery, we have provided specific guidelines to help guide you and your family during your stay.

• Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
• Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE

During Your Child’s Surgery

You will be asked to stay in the surgical waiting area while your child is in the operating room.  A nurse liaison or a trained volunteer will keep you updated during the procedure.  If you need to leave the area for any reason, please inform a staff member.  

What to Expect Just After Surgery

After surgery, your child’s surgeon will come out to discuss the procedure and to answer any questions you may have.  We will inform you as soon as you can join your child in the recovery area or “wake up” room.

You should plan to stay in the recovery area for at least one hour. Children must be fully awake prior to discharge. The length of stay after surgery is different for each child.  If your child is going to be admitted to the hospital after surgery, you will be given instructions ahead of time.

Your child may experience nausea and/or vomiting.  It’s also common to have a flushed face.  We will give your child clear liquids to drink when he or she is ready.

Once your child is ready for discharge, a nurse will review instructions with you regarding diet, wound care, medication, activity, and when your child should return to see the doctor.  You may also be given prescriptions for your child. 

The Day After Surgery

It is good for your child to rest as much as possible after surgery. Temporary nausea or vomiting is quite common after discharge. If your child experiences any of the symptoms below, call your surgeon or the nursing staff immediately.

• a fever of more than 101 degree
• persistent nausea or vomiting
• severe pain that prescribed medication does not relieve
• excessive bleeding from an incision

A nurse will call to inquire about your child’s recovery and to address any questions or concerns you may have.

We are committed to making your child’s visit as pleasant and safe as possible.