It is important that your child follows some special instructions when it comes to eating and drinking before his/her operation. Please follow these guidelines:
- Give your child a good bedtime snack such as; cereal, toast, sandwich, fruit, etc.
- Children under six months of age may have their usual feedings up to four hours before the scheduled surgery time and clear fluids [up to two hours before scheduled surgery time.]. A clear fluid is something you can see through - it has no floating particles in it; for example: water, sugar water, apple juice, popsicles, freezies, etc - do not give breast milk, cow's milk, formulas, jello, orange juice, or other liquid containing particles as they are NOT clear fluids. [up to two hours before scheduled surgery time.]
- Children over six months of age may have their usual food until midnight before surgery and clear fluids up to three hours before the scheduled surgery time. A clear fluid is something you can see through - it has no floating particles in it for example; water, sugar water, apple juice, popsicles, freezies, etc. - do not give breast milk, cow's milk, formulas, jello, orange juice, or other liquid containing particles as they are NOT clear fluids.
- Aspirin or aspirin products should not be given up to one week before surgery, but acetaminophen (for example Tylenol®, Panadol®) may be given.
Your child will be given general anaesthetic. If you do not follow these instructions, your child's operation may be postponed.
Please notify the surgeon if your child:
- becomes ill before the scheduled surgery;
- has been in contact with any communicable disease (measles, mumps, chickenpox, pneumonia, etc.) within three weeks before the surgery is scheduled, or;
- has a cold.
To help you and your child prepare for surgery, a video is available in libraries throughout Nova Scotia for home viewing entitled - "Preparing Your Child For Day Surgery".