Main Content

Children's Surgery Guidelines

When your child is having surgery, knowing ahead of time what to expect can help you and your child have a good hospital experience. This information is meant to answer any questions you may have and help you prepare.

The morning of surgery

On the morning of surgery, arrive at the time your surgeon instructed. Check in at the registration desk on Level G (ground floor) of the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower. After registration, you will be directed to the surgery area on Level 1 for the next steps of the check-in process.

If you have to cancel your child’s surgery, please notify your surgeon. You should also notify your surgeon of illness, cold, sore throat, fever, or changes in the condition for which your child is having surgery.

Preparing for surgery before you arrive

Foods and Medicines

Follow these instructions carefully to help ensure your child’s safety. If a child has solid food in his stomach at the time he receives anesthesia, there is a chance he could vomit and choke. Milk curdles in the stomach and acts as a solid food. Watch your child closely to be sure he does not “sneak” something to eat. Stop all solid foods eight hours prior to your arrival time. Stop all non-human milk (cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, and formula) six hours prior to your arrival time.

• Breast Milk: If your child is less than 1 (one) year of age, breast milk is allowed up to four hours prior to the scheduled surgery time.
• Clear Liquids: Water, sugar water, apple juice, or Pedialyte® are allowed up to two hours prior to arrival. No red or purple Pedialyte.
• Please do not eat or drink in front of your child. Children may not understand they cannot eat or drink when you do.
• Do not give your child any herbal medicines. Give your child ONLY the medicines your doctor tells you to give the morning of the surgery.

Bathing

To help prevent infections, make sure to bathe your child thoroughly the night before surgery, using your doctor’s instructions.

Clothing

If your child is having outpatient surgery, please dress him or her in loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. We recommend sweatpants or pants with an elasticized waist for patients undergoing surgery on the abdomen or groin area and button-up shirts for patients having surgery on the eyes, nose, ears or mouth.

Glasses, hearing aids, contact lenses, hairpins and combs are removed prior to surgery. Children’s of Mississippi will not be responsible for storing or securing these items.

Children should not wear make-up, fingernail or toenail polish to the hospital.

What to Bring

Having your own things with you will help to make your child’s stay more comfortable. Below is a list of items you may want to bring.

• underclothes
• play clothes
• socks
• shoes
• pajamas
• special toy/blanket
• toothbrush
• hairbrush
• pictures of family

During Surgery

Caregivers who accompany the patient remain in the designated waiting area. Out of consideration for those who are unable to eat prior to surgery, family members and visitors are not allowed to eat or drink in waiting rooms.

Visitors

Please visit this page for the current visitor policy and guidelines. Visitors are required to wear masks, covering the nose and mouth, and remain in the patient room or assigned area for the entirety of the visit.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones may be used within the hospital except where signs specifically prohibit their use. For the comfort of our patients, please place your phone on silent while in the hospital corridors.

Smoking Policy

Children’s of Mississippi provides a tobacco-free environment for the health and safety of our patients, families, and employees. Smoking or the use of tobacco products is prohibited in all buildings and on the grounds of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Thank you for your cooperation.

Outpatient Discharge

A parent or guardian must accompany a child home after outpatient surgery. No more than two adults and no other children should be present.

Parking

Visitors may park in parking Garage C located adjacent to Sanderson Tower. On the day of your child’s surgery, you may bring your parking ticket to be validated for free parking. We only will validate parking tickets for the patient’s parents/guardians and only on the day of the surgery.

Discounted parking passes are available for purchase in the patient accounts office on the first floor of University Hospital or in OB Receiving on the ground floor of Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants.

Free parking is available in the stadium, and the UMMC shuttle bus provides transportation to and from the stadium parking lot.