Children
1. Can we visit the Ambulatory Surgery Center before the day of surgery?
2. What should I do if my child develops a cold before the surgery?
3. What should I bring for my child?
4. Can my child’s siblings come to the Surgery Center?
5. Why must my child refrain from eating or drinking before surgery?
6. How long should my child refrain from eating or drinking?
7. When will my child be permitted to eat or drink again?
8. Will my child receive some pre-medication before the surgery?
9. Will there be pain or needle sticks?
10. May I stay with my child when he or she goes to sleep?
11. May I go into the operating room with my child?
12. Where will my child go after the surgery?
13. When will I see my child after the surgery?
14. Might my child vomit after surgery?
15. Will my child be given medication to take home?
16. What should I do if my child had a medical problem at home?
17. What if I have additional questions?
1. Can we visit the Ambulatory Surgery Center before the day of surgery?
You may visit the surgery center before your day of surgery. Please call and schedule a time to stop in. We would be happy to show you the facility, but need to make sure that we maintain confidentiality of other patients. This is particularly helpful for children that may be apprehensive about their surgery; we make the tour fun and friendly which makes for a positive surgical experience.
2. What should I do if my child develops a cold before the surgery?
We prefer to do surgery when the child is healthy. In some cases it may be better to delay the surgery until the child is perfectly well. Please call your surgeon as soon as you notice symptoms of a cold, your child develops a fever or any other medical problems. You are welcome to call us for advice at 702-914-2028. Please notify the Surgery Center immediately if your child’s surgery has been rescheduled. Do not hesitate to take your child to his/her pediatrician. Your child will also be re-evaluated by an anesthesiologist on the day of the surgery.
3. What should I bring my child?
Please bring a blanket, stuffed animal or favorite toy—anything that comforts your child is helpful. We will give your child a stuffed bear, but they may want something from home too. Each pre-operative bed has a television, and of course parents are made comfortable at the bedside.
4. Can my child’s sibling come to the Surgery Center?
We request that only the parents come to the Center, as space is limited and parents are involved in the pre-operative and recovery care of their child.
5. Why must my child refrain from eating or drinking before surgery?
It is preferable that the stomach be empty, this decreases the chance of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. This is a safety issue that we pay very close attention to.
6. How long should my child refrain from eating or drinking?
Most elective surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. This means that you will be admitted to the facility at which the surgery or procedure will be performed at a specific time before the procedure, then leave after you have fully recovered. Typically your surgeon’s office or the surgical facility will advise you of your admission time. |
Another critical piece of information of which you will be advised is when to begin fasting (NPO guidelines). |
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Pediatric Patients |
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0-6 Months |
6-36 Months |
3-12 Years |
- Clear fluids such as pedialyte, glucose water or clear pulpless juice should be encouraged up to 3 hours prior to the scheduled procedure.
- Breast milk and formula may be had up until 4 hours prior to the scheduled procedure.
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- Clear Jell-O may be added until 3 hours prior to the procedure.
- Breast milk may be had until 4 hours prior but no formula for 6 hours prior to the scheduled procedure.
- No solid food or juices with pulp after midnight prior to the procedure.
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- Clear liquids are allowed up until 3 hours before the procedure.
- No solid food, even milk, after midnight prior to the procedure.
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If your child has delayed gastric emptying please follow the instructions of your doctor’s office or contact Valley Anesthesiology Consultants at 702-487-6880. |
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7. When will my child be permitted to eat or drink again? Generally, your child can eat or drink very soon after the surgery. Some special situations may be handled differently. Most children will drink and possibly something light before leaving. It is not required that patients drink before leaving the Center. (Many children prefer their own “sippy” cup or bottle. Please feel free to bring their own for use in the recovery room.)
9. Will there be pain or needles sticks?
For our children, we prefer to start the IV’s in the operating room after they have fallen asleep. This decreases stress for your child and for most parents. For older children and teens, we will take direction from the child. We may discuss this with the child/teen at their pre-surgical visit if it is done.
10. May I stay with my child when he or she goes to sleep?
There are many ways to minimize stress of separation and surgery. A parent accompanying his/her child into the operating room is only one of the possible choices we have to minimize the childs stress. This issue has been closely studied and conclusion of extensive research is that every patient needs to be individualized. You should discuss this with your surgeon and anesthesiologist as well as the nurse who calls you from our center; we will work together to develop an appropriate plan for your child that is helpful and safe.
11. May I go into the operating room with my child?
There will be circumstances where it is appropriate for a parent to come into the operating room. Studies and experience show that this decision needs to be individualized and discussed between the parent, surgeon and anesthesiologist. There are many situations where other choices are better and even safer. Please do not hesitate to discuss your options.
12. Where will my child go after the surgery?
After surgery is completed, your child will be transported to the recovery room by the operating room nurse and the anesthesiologist; they will give a full report to the recovery room nurse and assist in getting your child comfortable in the recovery room. All children are received in our recovery room by two Registered nurses that are certified in pediatric advanced life support and have years of experience working with post surgical pediatric patients.
13. When will I see my child after surgery?
You and your child will be reunited as soon as possible. In some cases, you may be reunited before your child opens his or her eyes. Most of the time, you will be with your child within the first 15 minutes of his or her arrival in the recovery room. Occasionally, if it is medically necessary, we will have you wait a little longer. Please feel reassured that we respect you and your child’s need to be together as soon as possible.
14. Might my child vomit after surgery?
Yes, it is possible that your child might vomit after surgery. If your child is in the small group that is nauseous after the surgery, then we will attend to him or her in the recovery room. Rarely, the child could be fine at the Surgery Center and then feel nauseous on the way home or even at home. This is uncommon and usually does not indicate a serious problem. If vomiting does occur, please call your surgeon or the Surgery Center for advice and support.
15. Will my child be given medication to take home?
You will be given prescriptions for all the necessary medication your child will need at home. Some surgeons may give you a prescription before the day of surgery so that you can have it filled prior to your child’s surgery and we strongly encourage this practice.
16. What should I do if my child has a medical problem at home?
You know your child very well, if there is a problem that seems urgent, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If it is not urgent and you have questions or some concern, please call your surgeon. You may always call the surgery center and speak with the nurse, you may also call the anesthesiologist, however, most of the time the surgeon is the best source to answer questions.
17. What if I have additional questions?
We encourage you to ask questions and will make every effort to address your concerns. You can contact us by phone at 702-914-2028. Please refer to the Contact Us section.
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