Welcome to Pediatric Surgery.

The information provided here will help you prepare for your child's surgery. We want to make your child's surgical care as safe, comfortable and convenient as possible. At Wolfson Children's Hospital, the special needs of your child come first. If your child is older, you may wish to help prepare him or her for surgery by watching the series of Pediatric Surgery videos which are from the child's perspective and are provided on this website.

Pre-op Instructions
You will be given a surgery time and asked to report to one of these pediatric surgical facilities in downtown Jacksonville.

Wolfson Children's Hospital 800 Prudential Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207

Children's Ambulatory Center Baptist Outpatient Center 1235 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32207

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

• All jewelry (e.g., earrings)
• Fingernail polish
• Hair accessories
• Contacts lenses
• Retainers

If you are traveling from outside of the Jacksonville area and expect an extended stay, you may wish to contact a nearby hotel or the local Ronald McDonald House.

Pre-Admission Screening
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. You must provide a correct phone number at which you can be reached.

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.