You will receive a call prior to your child's surgery to confirm or acquire your child's medical history. The nurse will tell you about the events that will occur on the day of surgery. Please provide a correct phone number at which you can be reached.
Pre-Op Instructions
You will be given a surgery time and asked to report to one of these locations at our main campus in downtown Jacksonville.
Wolfson Children's Hospital
800 Prudential Drive, 2nd floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904.202.8838
Wolfson Surgery Center
Pavilion Building, 4th floor
836 Prudential Drive,
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904.202.7280
You will be given instructions regarding what your child may eat and drink in the hours leading up to surgery. For example, the instructions may say:
- No food, milk, formula or breast milk* after midnight the day of the surgery.
- May have only apple juice, Gatorade, water or Pedialyte until "a certain time."
- Absolutely nothing after the assigned time.
- Children 11 months or younger can have breast milk, but only up to six hours prior to surgery.
Failure to follow instructions exactly could cause postponement or cancellation of surgery. Additionally, the surgeon may provide you with special instructions in preparation for the surgery.
You'll be asked to bring all or some of the following:
- Socks or slippers
- Empty baby bottle or cup
- Special feeding or suction equipment
- Bathrobe or housecoat
- Favorite toy or security object
- Loose-fitting clothes
You'll also be asked to remove the following from your child:
- All jewelry
- Fingernail polish
- Hair accessories
- Contact lenses
- Retainers
If your child should develop a cold, fever, rash or any other signs of infection or is exposed to a communicable disease (i.e., chicken pox) in the two weeks prior to his or her scheduled surgery, please call your surgeon's office immediately. If you must cancel your child's surgery for any reason, please be sure to call your physician's office.
The Afternoon Before Surgery
You will receive a call between 3 pm and 4 pm on the afternoon before your child's surgery. At this time, we will tell you what time to arrive at the facility. During this call, a pediatric surgical nurse will review feeding instructions and answer any questions you may have. Your child may have clear liquids up to four hours before his or her scheduled surgery time.