Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Hi Ladies. My son has to have an outpatient surgery to repair a chordee on Monday. He's having the procedure done at Cohen Children's Medical Center (Schneider's LIJ). I'm a nervous wreck. What can I expect the day of? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Message edited 11/10/2010 10:24:56 AM.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Both my boys have had outpatient surgery.

DS #1 had a circumcision repair at 2 and tonsils/adenoids removed at 3.

DS #2 had tubes put in around 10 mo.

The docotrs, nurses and staff at the two facilities we went to were wonderful. We arrived early and they brought us back, had to dress both boys in a hospital gown where they took some information. One parent was allowed to go into the operating room with them while they were put under anesthesia (all 3 times DH did it...he said it was something I wouldnt want to see ). As soon as the surgery was over we were called back to the recovery room where our DS's were. When TJ had his circumsion repair he was very groggy and took awhile for him to wake up. He did not cry or get angry as some kids do. Witht he tonsils/adenoids it was different...he cried ALOT and was very hard to console. The same thing for DS 2 when he had tubes put in. Cried hysterically and was hard to calm down. They are realy out of it when they wake up and are scared. After the children drink something (they only allow juice or water) and are able to keep it down, they let you go. Usually 1-2 hours after surgery. Kids are resilient and are back up on their feet pretty quickly.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

DS had his tear duct probed at 17 months. We were at the hospital for about a total of 2 or hours.
We were in a room where we met with the nurses, doctor and anesthesiologist for about 45 min-1 hr, then he was in surgery for about half an hour, and recovery for another half an hour.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

DS goes for outpatient surgery tomorrow...I'll let you know how it goes since it will be fresh in my mind. He'll be at the ambulatory surgery center...is that where you are going or are you actually at Schneiders? Either way I'll share our experience.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Thank you so much for your responses! I've read that coming out of the anesthesia can be tough. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Ang-rich...best of luck with your son's procedure! Thank you for taking the time to respond, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind! I believe we'll be in the ambulatory surgery center too, but I'll have more information at the end of the week.

I know everybody says that the surgery is harder on the parents than it is on the kids, but I just don't want my little one to be in pain. I'm worried about him being hungry, scared, etc. He's only 6 months old, so I know he won't remember any of this, but it still breaks my heart that he has to go through it.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Just wanted to update...

We got the call with the scheduled time. The try to do the youngest first so your son should go early in the morning. My little guy is 8 months old and he is going in at 8am.

They can have breastmilk 4 hours before, pediayte and water 2 hours before and then nothing until after they are in recovery. The told me to bring a bottle with water and a bottle with BM/Formula for him to try when he wakes. He won't be released until he can show them that he can keep it down.

Because he is young we have to hand him over to the OR Nurse...awake. They will put him under in the OR and then put in the IV.

The try to get the parents into recovery before the child wakes so that's the game plan.


I'll let you know tomorrow. Thanks for the good wishes...I appreciate it so much!

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

My DS had a chordee repair at 6 months---he went first thing since he was the youngest--I remember getting. The actual procedure wasn't that long and we met quickly with the surgeon after and then met DS in recovery as he was waking up. He was definitely upset at first---I remember they kept wanting him to take a bottle but I was EBF and of course he wouldn't take it. Then we moved to the second recovery area where they removed his IV, checked his dressing and gave him tylenol. He was out of sorts until we got him home and he napped--when he woke up he was so much more himself! The tough part for me was the dressing--definitely ask questions about the dressing--what you should do if it gets poop on it etc. I ended up taking it off bc it got dirty and that wasn't what they wanted me to do---but he was fine in the end anyways.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Posted by nickipa

My DS had a chordee repair at 6 months---he went first thing since he was the youngest--I remember getting. The actual procedure wasn't that long and we met quickly with the surgeon after and then met DS in recovery as he was waking up. He was definitely upset at first---I remember they kept wanting him to take a bottle but I was EBF and of course he wouldn't take it. Then we moved to the second recovery area where they removed his IV, checked his dressing and gave him tylenol. He was out of sorts until we got him home and he napped--when he woke up he was so much more himself! The tough part for me was the dressing--definitely ask questions about the dressing--what you should do if it gets poop on it etc. I ended up taking it off bc it got dirty and that wasn't what they wanted me to do---but he was fine in the end anyways.

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Posted by Ang-Rich

Just wanted to update...

We got the call with the scheduled time. The try to do the youngest first so your son should go early in the morning. My little guy is 8 months old and he is going in at 8am.

They can have breastmilk 4 hours before, pediayte and water 2 hours before and then nothing until after they are in recovery. The told me to bring a bottle with water and a bottle with BM/Formula for him to try when he wakes. He won't be released until he can show them that he can keep it down.

Because he is young we have to hand him over to the OR Nurse...awake. They will put him under in the OR and then put in the IV.

The try to get the parents into recovery before the child wakes so that's the game plan.


I'll let you know tomorrow. Thanks for the good wishes...I appreciate it so much!

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

I was going to send you an FM but thought it might be helpful to share here since it seems like there are a few little ones going for outpatient surgery.


Although every situation is different, here are some things I noted to share:

- Go through the entrance with the 'C'

- Parking is free but try to stay in the first lot closer to C

- Bring the pre-op clearance and immunization record from your pediatrician to the ambulatory

- Bring your health insurance card and photo id

- When you walk in there is a large front desk...sign your child in and then sit down.

- Someone will come to get you and have you register (yes, even though you already did it over the phone...you need the documents, ins card and id)

- Someone will come to get you to bring you to the pre-op area.

- You will be asked a million times for your child's birthdate...this is for security reasons. It's their version of a password

- Any child under one has to be handed over to a OR Nurse. You cannot go in when they put the baby under. It is emotional but believe me...you don't want to be in there. It's extrememly emotional to see the prep to put them under and not be able to help or hold them.

- When they are moved to recovery they are given a bottle of glucose water when the wake.

- They try to get the parents in before they wake but the day we were there all parents came in when the kids were already up.

- Bring a small bottle of water, a small bottle of BM and/or formula. You will first finish the glucose water with them and then try diluted formula or BM. I forgot the BM at home so I gave formula (which he's pretty much on now anyway) It was 2oz water and 2oz formula.

To be released:
- They have to hold down formula/BM
- They have to have full feeling back in their body (for DS it was his legs)


Make sure you ask:
- What the deal is with bathing (how, when)
- What to do for dressings (changing, etc)
- What to do with pain meds
- What follow up appts need to be made
- How to hold your child (so as not to cause discomfort)
- What to look out for and how to respond


Bring something to eat (the little cafe is not so great). The have vending machines and the cafe has drinks.

You can bring something to read but chances are...you won't be able to.



I think that was pretty much it. Good Luck! Lots of good wishes!

Re: Outpatient Surgery...what to expect?

Posted by Ang-Rich

I was going to send you an FM but thought it might be helpful to share here since it seems like there are a few little ones going for outpatient surgery.


Although every situation is different, here are some things I noted to share:

- Go through the entrance with the 'C'

- Parking is free but try to stay in the first lot closer to C

- Bring the pre-op clearance and immunization record from your pediatrician to the ambulatory

- Bring your health insurance card and photo id

- When you walk in there is a large front desk...sign your child in and then sit down.

- Someone will come to get you and have you register (yes, even though you already did it over the phone...you need the documents, ins card and id)

- Someone will come to get you to bring you to the pre-op area.

- You will be asked a million times for your child's birthdate...this is for security reasons. It's their version of a password

- Any child under one has to be handed over to a OR Nurse. You cannot go in when they put the baby under. It is emotional but believe me...you don't want to be in there. It's extrememly emotional to see the prep to put them under and not be able to help or hold them.

- When they are moved to recovery they are given a bottle of glucose water when the wake.

- They try to get the parents in before they wake but the day we were there all parents came in when the kids were already up.

- Bring a small bottle of water, a small bottle of BM and/or formula. You will first finish the glucose water with them and then try diluted formula or BM. I forgot the BM at home so I gave formula (which he's pretty much on now anyway) It was 2oz water and 2oz formula.

To be released:
- They have to hold down formula/BM
- They have to have full feeling back in their body (for DS it was his legs)


Make sure you ask:
- What the deal is with bathing (how, when)
- What to do for dressings (changing, etc)
- What to do with pain meds
- What follow up appts need to be made
- How to hold your child (so as not to cause discomfort)
- What to look out for and how to respond


Bring something to eat (the little cafe is not so great). The have vending machines and the cafe has drinks.

You can bring something to read but chances are...you won't be able to.



I think that was pretty much it. Good Luck! Lots of good wishes!