Before surgery

Providing emotional and physical support to your child before surgery can help relieve their fears and anxiety. These age-based guidelines can help you prepare your child for a stay in the hospital.

• Newborns to age 2: Children at this age can sense your feelings and anxiety. Focus on preparing yourself. The calmer you are, the calmer they will be.
• Toddlers: At this age, children still do not understand enough for a full explanation. Consider telling your child very basic information about the surgery a few days prior to the surgery.
• Preschool through kindergarten: Kids at this age might misinterpret a hospital stay as punishment for something they’ve done wrong. Use short explanations to reassure your child that staying in the hospital is to help make them feel better.
• School-age to adolescents: At this age, your child will likely understand the reason for a hospital stay. Allow plenty of time for them to ask questions and talk about any worries they may have.
• Tweens and teens: Be sure to include your child in the process from the beginning and encourage them to ask questions. You may even want to ask your child how you can help make the experience better.

Helpful resources for your child:

• Children’s Health Resources Center – Park Ridge
• Children’s Health Resources Center – Oak Lawn

If you would like to have a more in-depth discussion before your child’s surgery date, our nurse practitioners are here to help answer your questions or you may speak with your child’s surgeon. Contact our Pediatric General Surgery office in Oak Lawn at 708-684-3131 or Park Ridge at 847-723-8400.

The Day Surgery team will contact you the day before surgery to give you a time to arrive at the hospital along with instructions to follow the night before surgery. They will also provide you with additional instructions for the night before surgery.

• If your child is scheduled for surgery on a Monday, we'll call after 3 p.m. the previous Friday.
• If your child’s surgery is scheduled Tuesday through Friday, we'll call after 3 p.m. the day before surgery.
• If you miss the call, you can contact the Day Surgery department at 708-684-3131 in Oak Lawn or 847-723-8400 in Park Ridge.

Make sure your child avoids solid food, including chewing gum, after midnight the night before surgery. We’ll provide specific instructions regarding liquid consumption and when to stop feedings infants.

Remember it’s important your child adheres to pre-operative fasting guidelines otherwise your child’s procedure will be delayed or possibly canceled.

It’s fine to give your child Tylenol or other similar nonaspirin pain relievers for minor aches and pains, but some medications must be discontinued before your child’s surgery. Speak to your child’s surgeon or call the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Office at 708-684-3131 in Oak Lawn or 847-723-8400 in Park Ridge with any questions about medications.

Also be sure to coordinate with your pediatrician’s office so that immunizations are not given within two weeks of the surgery date.

Be sure to pack a small bag for you and your child if they’ll be staying in the hospital after surgery. Packing age-appropriate toys and games also can help your child relax during their hospital stay. We offer free Wi-Fi for any devices you bring from home.

We’ll provide all infant bottles, diapers and food for your child according to their needs. You may also consider providing:

• Infants: A favorite pacifier, rattles, blankets and toys
• Toddlers: A soothing transitional object such as a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, toys and books
• Preschool through kindergarten: Books, puzzles, toys and a favorite stuffed animal or blanket
• School-aged children/teens: Movies, music, hand-held video games, toys and homework.

While there really is no way to prevent your child from getting colds and other contagious diseases, we recommend avoiding unnecessary exposure to large crowds and people who are ill before your child’s surgery. It's not necessary to keep your child out of school.

If your child develops a cough, runny nose, fever or any other signs of illness within 24 hours of the scheduled surgery day, please call your pediatrician and the Pediatric General Surgery office at 708-684-3131 in Oak Lawn or 847-723-8400 in Park Ridge to discuss the possibility of rescheduling surgery. In addition, please call us if your child is exposed to any communicable diseases such as measles, mumps or chicken pox.

We're committed to working together with our patients to prevent infection. During your child’s surgery, we’ll provide antibiotics to your child (medications that prevent infections) and clean their skin with special products that help kill germs. We’ll also closely monitor body temperature, blood sugar and other vital signs.

There are many things you can do along with your child and other caregivers to help prevent infections.

• Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to decrease the risk of surgical site infection.
  • Wash your hands and your child’s hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If they are not visibly soiled, you may use hand sanitizer.
  • Have others around you wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.
  • Ask your child’s health care providers if they have washed their hands.
• Wash your child (or have them wash themselves) with Hibiclens the day before surgery (available at most drug stores).
• Razors may cause small tears in the skin creating an opening for infection. Don’t shave near the surgical site with a razor for three days before surgery. On the morning of surgery, don’t shave any part of your child’s body below the chin.
• Ask your surgeon for instructions on care for the surgical site after the procedure.