Getting Ready for Outpatient Surgery

The Weeks Before

There are many things you can do to help prepare yourself and your child for admission to the outpatient surgery centers:

1. Follow the “under-the-weather” policy. Call the surgeon’s office if your child has a fever or flu-like symptoms the day before surgery. If your child has been exposed to a contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, impetigo or lice up to three weeks before the surgery, also call the surgeon’s office.
2. Do not allow your child to have any aspirin or ibuprofen for at least two weeks before the surgery. This includes Motrin®, Pediaprofen®, Advil®, Bayer® children’s aspirin, Aspergum®, Pepto Bismol® and Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus®. Your child can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
3. Check with your doctor to see whether there are any prescription or non-prescription medications that your child should avoid taking or stop taking temporarily before his or her surgery.
4. Prepare your child for surgery by talking to him or her and allowing your child to ask questions. For guidelines click here, and, if you want, take a free Pre-Admission Tour.
5. Make sure you have appropriate transportation home from the surgery center. Your child should avoid public transportation (bus or trolley) immediately after surgery. Drive or arrange for a relative or friend to take you and your child home.
6. You will receive two forms in the mail or at the physician’s office: the History and Physical form, and the Consent form. Please fill out the two forms completely and bring them with you the day of surgery.
7. Check with your insurance carrier to determine if you need written authorization before receiving the scheduled services.
8. Prepare for your child’s return home after the procedure. For guidelines click here.