Preparing for surgery

• Bring your child for any pre-surgery tests. These may include blood and urine tests. (Not all children need testing.)

• Tell your child what will happen before, during, and after surgery. Honesty is better than leaving your child with unanswered questions and fear.

• Ask your provider if the hospital has a program that helps parents and children understand the hospital layout, where the surgery and recovery will happen, and where parents can wait.

• Make arrangements to stay with your child during the entire hospital visit, if it's possible.

• Before you sign the surgery consent form, make sure all your questions have been answered.

• Follow any directions your child is given for taking medicines or for not eating or drinking before surgery.

• Give the surgeon a list of any medicines your child takes. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements.

• Tell the surgeon about any allergies your child has, such as to medicines, certain foods, or substances like latex.

• Help your child choose a toy or blanket to bring to the hospital.

• Bathe your child and remove any jewelry and hair accessories. This includes hair clips and earrings.

• Call the surgeon if your child has a fever or acts sick before surgery. Surgery may need to be delayed.

• Ask the surgeon about other special directions.