Pre-operative instructions
It is important that your child have a completely empty stomach when given anesthetic. This will reduce the danger of vomiting and inhaling stomach contents into the lungs while asleep. You must follow these instructions or your child’s procedure may be cancelled.
If your child is 1 to 8 years old:
- Call your doctor to confirm your child’s appointment time.
- If the procedure is scheduled between 7:00am and 12:00 noon your child must not eat or drink anything (not even water) after midnight the evening before the surgery is scheduled.
- If the procedure is scheduled at 12:00 noon or later, your child must not eat or drink anything after 6:00 am the morning of the procedure. Your child may have up to 8 ounces of clear liquids (water). Then nothing else until after the procedure has been completed.
- If your child must take medicine by mouth for a medical condition during this period when no food or drink is allowed before surgery, please give the medicine at it’s scheduled time with just a sip (no more than 2 teaspoons) of water.
Post-operative instructions
Activity
Your child might feel a little sleepy for the next 24 hours. This is due to the medicine your child received. Please do not leave the child alone. Children should rest at home, but may be up and about according to the doctor’s instructions. Do not let the child ride a bike, skateboard, roller-blade, etc. for at least 24 hours.
Medications
Your child may have some discomfort. If needed, the doctor may prescribe a prescription for pain. This should be taken as directed. If it does not help the pain, contact your doctor. If your doctor does not prescribe anything for pain, then you may give your child a non-prescription pain medication, such as Tylenol. Please be sure to follow the directions on the label. Take all pain medications with food to prevent an upset stomach.
Diet
Proceed slowly to a regular diet. Start by giving liquids such as water or carbonated soda. If your child has no nausea, try soup and crackers, and finally solid foods.
Call the Doctor if your child develops:
- A fever higher than 101 degrees orally
- Pain not relieved by pain medication
- Any bleeding or unexpected drainage
- Extreme redness or swelling
- Croupy Cough
- Nausea and vomiting that is not better within a day or two
