Welcome to Manatee Surgical Center
Thank you for choosing Manatee Surgical Center for your child's procedure. To ensure the best outcome, it is very important that you and your child follow some very specific instructions.

After carefully reading the following information, if you have specific questions prior to your child's procedure that are not answered here, please ask your physician, or call the Pre-Op nurse at Manatee Surgical Center, 941-745-2727. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you have any questions or concerns while your child is in our care, we encourage you to ask any member of our team. We will be happy to answer your questions or to assist you.

Your Pre-Op Visit
Before your child's surgery, you are strongly encouraged to visit the Manatee Surgical Center to meet our team of professionals and to become familiar with our facility. When you come for the Pre-Op visit, be sure to bring your insurance card, parent or guardian's photo identification like a driver's license, and a list of medications your child is taking. You will also need to fill out and bring with you a form called "Pre-anesthetic Evaluation" which you will receive from your child's physician.

During the Pre-Op visit to the surgical center, you will receive specific instructions from our nursing team, you may meet your anesthesiologist, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions. Both you and your child will feel more comfortable and relaxed after the Pre-Op visit because you will know what to expect on the day of your child's procedure.

Preparation For Your Child's Procedure
To ensure that your child's procedure is as safe and comfortable as possible, some preparation is necessary. After your Pre-Op visit to the surgical center, if your child develops a cold, cough, or fever, or if there is any change in the condition for which he or she is to have surgery, please call your physician at once.

The day before the surgery our Pre-Op nurse will telephone you to tell you the exact time that you need to arrive at the surgical center. If our nurse has not contacted you by 4 p.m. the day before your child's surgery, please call us at 941-745-2727.

During that call, the Pre-Op nurse will tell you at what time your child must stop chewing gum, eating, and drinking before the procedure. These instructions must be followed carefully. Serious complications can take place if the stomach is not empty during surgery.

If you have other children, please make child care arrangements for them on the day of your child's procedure.

At least one parent or guardian must remain at the surgical center the entire time your child is with us. Two adults may accompany the child; however, you may be asked to take turns if the Pre-Op area and/or recovery room are unusually crowded.

We encourage you to bring with you to the surgical center a special toy, blanket, or pacifier which may help your child feel comfortable. A pair of socks for your child's feet may help keep him or her warm.

In addition, please bring an age-appropriate drinking cup or bottle filled with your child's favorite beverage. Apple juice is a good choice of beverage to drink after general anesthesia. Milk products are not recommended immediately after the surgery because milk may cause nausea and vomiting.

Dress your child in warm comfortable clothing or pajamas that are open at the waist and ankles and have no metal snaps. Remember to bring socks. Depending on the procedure, your child may be given a "hospital" gown to wear. Please bring an extra change of clothes in case of any accidents. Remove all jewelry your child may be wearing – including earrings and other body piercing jewelry. If your child wears diapers, please bring extra with you.

Day Of The Procedure
Arrive at the Manatee Surgical Center at the time given to you by the Pre-Op nurse when she calls you the day before surgery. A map showing you the location of the center is on the back of this booklet.

Upon arrival, an office team member will greet you at the front counter and will review your paperwork. A nurse will then escort you and your child to the Pre-Op area, where you can stay with your child until it is time to move to the operating room.

In the Pre-Op area, heart monitoring stickers will be applied to the chest to monitor the heart, and an oxygen monitor will be placed on the finger or toe. The anesthesia provider will continuously monitor your child's condition during the entire surgery.

If an I.V. is necessary, it will usually be started after your child is asleep. It will be securely taped and an arm board will be used to help protect it. The I.V. will be left in place until just before your child is discharged.

When the surgical team is ready, your child will be carried or wheeled (age appropriate) into the operating room. At this time parents will be asked to wait in the lobby where a complimentary coffee bar is located. Your child's surgeon will speak to you immediately following surgery.

Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Following surgery, your child will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Here nurses will carefully monitor your child until he or she wakes up from the anesthesia.

At the appropriate time, parents are brought to the child's bedside. Parents should expect to see their child awaken from anesthesia confused, disoriented, and angry. It is normal for the child to be cranky, cry, and kick. The bed rails are padded for this reason. The PACU nurse may gently restrain the movement of your child until he or she emerges more fully from the anesthesia. In the majority of cases, the child will not remember this stage.

Your child's breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature will be monitored in the PACU. He or she may receive oxygen, and also medication for any discomfort. A warm blanket may be used to keep your little one warm.

While your child is emerging from anesthesia, it is important for parents to remain very calm and reassure the child that he or she is safe. Kind, loving words and touches are the best medicine of all. Be very patient and trust your medical caregivers.

The nurse may encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids and may offer juice or flavored crushed ice. The child's stay in the PACU normally averages from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the procedure that was performed.

Going Home
Your physician will provide you with post-procedure instructions regarding diet, rest, and medication. Your PACU nurse will review these instructions with you and will provide you a written summary to take home. Stay with your child for at least 12 hours following the procedure and pamper him or her. It is normal for your child to feel drowsy after receiving anesthetic medication. Should an emergency arise after your child has been discharged, you should contact your physician, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call 911.