Preparing For Your Child's Surgery - Akron Main Building

Before Surgery

Pre-surgical appointment

• You may be scheduled for a pre-surgical preparation appointment within 30 days of your child's surgery in the perioperative surgical home located on the 8th floor of the Main Hospital Building.
• Your child's vital signs (heart and breathing rate, temperature and blood pressure) will be checked, blood work drawn and a history and physical completed.  This will expedite check-in on the day of surgery and prevent delays.
• A child life specialist may also meet with you and your child to explain the surgery environment and procedures.
   

Verification and instructions

• Our admitting department will call you 10 to 14 days before surgery to verify patient and insurance information.
• A surgery staff member will call you 1 to 2 business days (Monday-Friday, excluding holidays) before surgery to provide final instructions and confirm surgery time. If you haven't received a call by the last business day before surgery, call 330-543-8529 after 2 p.m. 
   

Medication, vitamins and herbal supplements

• Heart, asthma or seizure medications should be given the morning of surgery with the smallest amount of water possible.
• Avoid vitamins, herbal products and ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin, Pediaprofen, etc.) for 10 days before your child's scheduled surgery date.
• For products with aspirin (i.e., Aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) or Lovenox, follow the instructions from the doctor who ordered that medication.
• Tylenol or other products with acetaminophen can be given until the night before surgery, unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon/physician.
• Contact your endocrinologist for instructions on taking insulin. You should stop taking Metformin, Diabinase, Glucatrol and Glucophage 24 hours before surgery.

Skin conditions and illness

• Contact us if your child has a rash, cuts or bruises in the surgery area, or has poison ivy, chicken pox or another illness causing a rash.
• Contact us if your child is sick or hospitalized within 2 weeks of the surgery date.
   

Eating and Drinking Restrictions

Day of Surgery

Before you arrive

• Have your child bathe or shower and wash his hair. Follow any special soap/scrub instructions from your surgeon/physician.
• Children may brush their teeth if they are able to do so without swallowing water.
• Remove all make-up, nail polish, jewelry, piercings and hair accessories with metal (including hair extensions). 
• Bring a box or case to store contacts and removable orthodontic appliances if you cannot leave them at home.
• Your child should wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Have your child bring a favorite comfort item to take into surgery. To help prevent infection, wash this item before bringing it to the hospital.

Once you arrive at the hospital

• You must arrive at the hospital 90 minutes before the scheduled surgery start time.
• Your child's surgery is scheduled in the main hospital in Akron. Park in the P1 Bowery parking deck, 199 Bowery St. 
• Upon arrival, a urine specimen will be collected on all females who have begun menstruation or spotting.
• The anesthesiologist will evaluate your child before the operation to ensure a safe anesthetic during surgery. The type of anesthesia and method of delivery are based on your child's age, type and length of surgery, general health and other factors.
• Due to visitor restrictions, only one adult is permitted in the pre- and post-operative areas. Child care is not provided.
• A legal guardian must accompany your child to the hospital on surgery day.
   

After surgery

• The surgeon will speak to you privately about the procedure.
• Your child will be taken to the post anesthesia care unit where 2 visitors older than 18 years will be allowed.
• The outpatient pharmacy is available to fill any home-going prescriptions. 
• A parent, legal guardian or other adult must be available to drive the child home.
   

Changes in behavior

You may notice a change in your child's behavior before or after surgery. Clinginess is a common post-hospital behavior, but children are resilient and they'll typically work through it. If disruptive behaviors last longer than 6 weeks, talk to your child's doctor.

Encourage your child to play "doctor" and "hospital," draw pictures of their experience, and/or journal about their experience. These types of activities will help lead them to a healthy recovery.