When your child needs surgery, it can be a stressful and emotional event for not only the patient, but for the whole family. It helps to know what to expect before, during and after surgery so you, your child and your family feel more prepared.
The surgery teams at Texas Children’s work to make your child’s surgery experience safe and as comfortable as possible. Below are videos and guides and a timeline to help you and your family learn what to expect when having surgery at Texas Children’s.
When preparing your child for surgery, it is important to provide age appropriate information to alleviate misconceptions and minimize fears or possible feelings of guilt. It is also important to help your child understand the reasons for their necessary surgery and familiarize them with the surgery process.
Help your child learn what to expect.
Use simple words to prepare your child for surgery so they may understand the purpose for coming to the hospital.
Be honest with your child to encourage a trusting relationship.
Ask your child how they feel about their upcoming surgery to foster open communication. This will help address any possible fears or misconceptions regarding their surgery.
Encourage your child to ask questions to you or their doctor to give them a sense of empowerment and control.
Support your child with your presence, gentle voice, and touch to help reduce anxiety.
Allow your child to choose a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, toy or comfort item to bring and keep with them throughout the procedure.
Pre-Surgery Instruction Guide
The guides below are given to families in our clinics when a surgery may be planned. Families may also receive guide this by email.
Suggested children's books about surgery and going to a hospital
Franklin goes to the hospital. Jennings, Sharon. 2000. Lets patients know what to expect when going to the hospital.
Franklin va al hospital. Jennings, Sharon; Clark, Brenda, ill. 2002. Lets parents know what to expect when going to the hospital. Spanish Language.
Going to the Hospital... What will I see? and who are those people wearing funny clothes? Wood, Jaynie R.; Berkus, Jo; Selwyn, Joan, ill. 2009. Provides a valuable resource to caregivers who want to ease the transition into the hospital and help children with their experience from beginning to end.
Good-bye tonsils!Hatkoff, Juliana; Hatkoff, Craig; Mets, Marilyn, ill. 2001. A young girl describes what happens when she goes to the hospital to have her tonsils removed.
My brother needs an operation. Jaworski, Anna Marie; Ball, Linda, ill. 1998. Joey's little brother, Alex, has to go to the hospital for surgery and this is the story of how Joey handled it. The book includes room for the readers to write about their own similar experiences.
Paddington Bear goes to the hospital. Bond, Michael; Jankel, Karen; Alley, R. W. ill. 2001. Paddington had an accident and had to go to the hospital. See what he experiences.
Resources for Kids
Download and print this worksheet to read with your child. It will let them know what to expect on the day of surgery.
Because infants are unable understand the reason for not eating or drinking before a sedated procedure, these are suggested ways you can help them cope with the wait:
Worry most about how the surgery will affect their appearance and how it will affect their daily routines and friends
Fear of pain
Reluctant to ask questions at the risk of sounding silly in front of others
Concerned about privacy
Suggested ways to cope:
Facilitate choices and control; include them in the plan of care
Respect autonomy and respect privacy
Give complete, honest explanations about surgery
Provide opportunities for your child to discuss concerns with staff
A Timeline to Prepare Your Child for Surgery
As a parent, you play a key role in helping your child prepare for surgery. Here are some simple, age-appropriate ways to educate your child about their surgery and help make it a positive experience.
In the weeks before surgery
In the weeks before your child's surgery, make sure all testing and clinic visits needed for surgery are complete. Many patients visit the PASS (Pediatric Anesthesia Screening Service) Clinic to make sure they are healthy enough for surgery.
Two business days before surgery
One to two days before surgery you will receive a phone call from Texas Children's informing you of your arrival time for surgery. This call could come anytime from 9 am to 3 pm. Please call your surgeon's office if you have questions or have not received a call by 3 pm, the day before your child's surgery.
The day before surgery
It is important to follow the correct eating and drinking instructions to prepare your child for surgery. Your child must have an empty stomach before receiving anesthesia to prevent choking or vomiting during the procedure. Clear liquids like water can be given until arrival time to help with hunger and hydration. If the proper eating and drinking instructions are not followed, your child's surgery may be delayed or canceled.
It is important that your child have an empty stomach to receive anesthesia for surgery. If there is food or liquid in your child's stomach, it can cause choking or vomiting during surgery. Make sure that your child does not sneak snacks after the food and drink cutoff times. If your child does not follow these rules, surgery may be canceled or delayed.
STOP Food8 hours before your arrival time
STOP Milk and Formula6 hours before your arrival time
STOP Breast Milk 4 hours before your arrival time
STOP Clear Liquids at arrival time
Clear liquids include: water, Pedialyte®, Sprite® or 7-Up®, apple juice (no orange juice)
Continue taking all prescribed medications prior to surgery unless otherwise specified
If your child has a contagious disease such as chicken pox or measles or recently has been around someone with a contagious disease, we must know before you come to Texas Children's for surgery.
Please call us at 832-824-5703 or 832-824-5712. This information will help us protect other patients from highly contagious illnesses.
On the day of surgery, make sure to arrive at the time given to you over the phone by your surgeon's office. When you arrive, check in at your Surgery Reception location.
