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Preoperative Clinic
Preoperative Clinic
What to Bring to Pre-Op
Dietary Guidelines
Parents in the OR
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Home Clinical Services Preoperative Clinic Dietary Guidelines
Flower Dietary Guidelines
Image Before surgery, eating and drinking are not allowed for specified periods of time. It is important that you follow these directions carefully to prepare your child. If your child eats or drinks after the indicated time, the surgery may be cancelled.

Note: No food or drink is allowed in Pre-Op areas.

  • Midnight before the surgery: stop eating solid foods, including gum, candy, and milk.
  • 6 hours before surgery: stop drinking formula.
  • 4 hours before surgery: stop drinking breast milk.
  • 2 hours before surgery: stop drinking clear liquids.
Other important guidelines for the day of surgery
  • Plan to arrive at the Pre-op Clinic 90 minutes before the surgery is scheduled. No food or drinks are allowed in pre-op areas.
  • Please bring in all medication bottles, and/or pharmacy receipts, so medication doses can be verified.
  • All female patients over the age of 12 years will need to provide a urine sample the day of surgery for a standard pregnancy test.
  • All jewelry, including body piercing and nail polish must be removed. Tampons may not be worn to surgery, sanitary napkins are recommended.
  • Please remove your contact lenses, bring glasses.
  • We strongly discourage siblings coming to the hospital on the day of surgery.
  • Please call the Pre-Op Clinic at 617-355-3765 with any questions or between 3-5 pm the day before surgery to find out the time of your child?s surgery.
On the day of discharge, plan on leaving the hospital by 11 am. Please be sure that all arrangements (transportation, work schedules, child care needs) have been made to allow for a morning discharge.
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