Surgery day

Surgery Information for Parents and Families

Before you arrive

• Even though your child will not be eating or drinking, parents and families are encouraged to eat before bringing your child for surgery. Food and drinks are not allowed in the preoperative waiting areas.
• Please keep in mind that the scheduled surgery time is our best estimate. Your child’s surgery could be moved up or down on the schedule for many reasons.
• If you or a family member is sick, please stay home, rest and concentrate on getting better. We do not want any of our healthy patients exposed to illnesses.
• To help give your child undivided attention during the visit to the hospital, we recommend that you make arrangements for siblings younger than 12 to stay with family or friends.
• Download the Children's Health mobile app.
  • Text "app" to 77444 to download now
    Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
    See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
    Reply STOP to opt out of texts and reply HELP for help.

  Parking

  Children's Health offers several options for parking including valet and self-parking. Click here for more information or use the Children's Health mobile app.

  Checking in

  When you arrive at Children’s Health, you and your child will check in at Admissions:

  • We ask to have a copy of your photo ID, insurance card(s) and have you sign financial consent forms.
  • Next, you and your child will go to the perioperative waiting area.
  • A nurse will call you to the pre-op/post-op holding area to check your child’s weight and vital signs.
  • There, your child will put on a surgical gown or pajamas, then play or relax until it is time for surgery.
  • The nurse will explain what will happen to your child.
  • A physician called a pediatric anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss your child’s medical history and to tell you about anesthesia care.

  Shortly before surgery

  The staff responsible for your child’s care will verify:

  • Your child’s name
  • What kind of surgery he or she is having
  • The body part on which the surgery will be performed
  • For your child’s safety, the family will be asked these questions many times.

  Depending on the type of surgery your child will have, your doctor may mark the location of the surgery on your child’s body with a marker.

  The custodial parent or guardian will be asked to sign an informed consent form. This form verifies that the family and doctor have discussed the surgery that will be performed.

  During Surgery

  When your child goes into the operating room, you will go out to a waiting area. We ask that at least one parent remains in the hospital at all times. Your child’s surgeon will meet with you afterward to discuss your child’s progress.

  After surgery

  Most children go to the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU) after surgery.

  In the PACU, your child will be watched by nurses who will notify you as soon as you may visit your child.

  Please remain in the waiting room until you are notified.

  Same day surgery

  Children scheduled to go home on the same day of surgery will go back to the pre-Op/post-Op holding area after the PACU. At this point:

  Both parents may be with the child.

  Other family members are encouraged to wait in the waiting room areas.

  When your child is ready to go home, the nurse will review with you all instructions for medicines, home care and follow up appointments.

  Admission

  If your child is scheduled for a hospital admission after surgery, you will be given more instructions related to your stay on the day of surgery. The nurses will tell you the location of your room for the overnight stay once the surgical procedure is completed.

Surgery Information for Children

It is important that your child feels as comfortable as possible on the day of their surgery. Children's Health℠ has prepared some information to help ease your child's fears and prepare them for their surgery, as well as recommendations for items that you can bring with you from home.

Talk to your child

Try to prepare your child and yourself for what will happen at the hospital. This can help make your child’s surgery day as comfortable and smooth as possible.

• Recognize your child’s fears and concerns.
• Describe what your child may see, feel, taste and hear.
• Be honest and explain in a language your child can understand.
• Point out that this is temporary and not a punishment for bad behavior.

If you are unsure what to talk to your child about, see the Resource listed below for Surgery Prep Brochure. You can also read further for more information on how a Child Life Specialist can help talk your child through the surgery process.

Child Life Specialists

Child Life Specialists help patients cope with being in the hospital. Often times the fear of the unknown is the biggest challenge for patients and families. Child Life Specialists provide age-appropriate information to help children understand the hospital and prepare them emotionally for invasive procedures and surgery. They are available to talk with your child about what to expect while here. Children ages 3 and older may benefit most from this experience, however, Child Life Specialists are still available to help support younger patients and their families.

If you would like to talk to a Child Life Specialist or are looking for more preparation resources, please contact:

• Dallas or Pavilion Surgery Center: 214-456-8308 / Email SurgeryChildLife@childrens.com
• Plano: 469-303-6280 / Email: ChildLifeLegacy@childrens.com

You may also request to see a Child Life Specialist on the day of your child’s surgery. When you arrive at the hospital, ask your nurse to contact child life for you.

Making your child comfortable

To make your child comfortable, we recommend you bring the items listed below with you.

• Loose-fitting shirts, snap tops or button-down shirts are recommended for surgery above the waist. For surgeries below the waist, your child should wear loose-fitting or elastic-waist pants or shorts. Please be sure to label all items with your child’s name.
• For infants, bring a small supply of diapers and bottles, pacifiers, and a lovie or blanket.
• Pack a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book to comfort your child. Your child should be able to take a stuffed animal to surgery with them.
• Bring a bathrobe or sweater and socks or slippers.
• Pack a sweater or light jacket for you because the hospital is well air conditioned.
• Bathe your child and shampoo their hair the night before surgery.
• Leave your child’s jewelry, valuables and contact lenses at home.