Getting ready for surgery

To help you and your family prepare for surgery, we’ve compiled Children’s Minnesota resources specific to parents, teens and kids.

What to expect for surgery

As you prepare for surgery at Children’s Minnesota, know that your child is getting the best care from a surgical team that is trained exclusively to care for children. Our team is taking many precautions to keep your family safe. Here is some information to help you know what to expect for your child’s surgery at Children’s Minnesota.

Before surgery

Children’s Minnesota may contact you more than once before surgery to discuss things like any symptoms of illness, eating and drinking guidelines, and other topics to make sure you are prepared for surgery.

To learn what else you should do before surgery, see our full planning checklist »

The day of surgery

Please plan to arrive early on the day of surgery to allow time for parking and check-in. Review driving and parking directions for more information.

You will first check in at the Welcome Center. A staff member will conduct a wellness screening, including a temperature check, to screen for symptoms of illness. Everyone over the age of two must wear a mask at Children’s Minnesota.

If you haven’t registered before you arrive for surgery, you will be directed to the patient registration office to register. To skip this step on the day of surgery, you can register before you arrive.

Two parents/legal guardians can come with your child on the day of surgery. No other visitors or siblings can be at Children’s Minnesota to help stop spread of illness.

After your wellness screening at the Welcome Center, you will then go to the Surgery Center to check in. Our Surgery Center lobby allows for patients and families to maintain social distancing while waiting. We have spaced the chairs six feet apart and posted helpful signs to remind everybody.

After checking in, we will show you to your room as soon as possible so you can get settled.

Surgery Center staff wear personal protective equipment, or “PPE (opens video in new tab)” at all times. They also sanitize or wash their hands whenever they enter or leave your room.

We don’t have toys available in the surgery center to limit germs, but you can bring a comfort item for your child, such as a blanket. Be sure to wash the comfort item the night before surgery.

After surgery

Your child’s care team will tell you when the surgery is done. A nurse will tell you when it is time to see your child.

Before leaving the surgery center, your child must drink fluids, keep the fluids down and have their pain under control.

A nurse will teach you what you need to know before you can take your child home.

Please call us if you have any questions after you go home:

• Minneapolis: 612-813-6191
• Paul: 651-220-6505
• Minnetonka: 952-930-8600

Staying overnight at the hospital

Your child may need to stay at the hospital for a night or more after surgery. We will tell you during scheduling or during the nurse call before surgery if you should plan for an overnight stay.

Here are some things to know when staying overnight at Children’s Minnesota:

• After surgery, you and your child will be brought from the surgery center to a room on a different floor in the hospital.
• If your child will be staying at the hospital for less than 24 hours, a parent or guardian needs to be with your child. If your child is at the hospital for more than 24 hours and you need to leave, talk with your nurse.
• The Children’s Minnesota hospital rooms have couches that fold out to a bed, or chairs for parents or guardians to sleep.
• Please review the Children’s Minnesota visitor guidelines.

Due to COVID-19, some of our family support services may have temporarily changed. See the latest information about support services »

Learn more about family services or ask your care team for more information.