Eating and Drinking Restrictions Before Surgery

Eating and Drinking Restrictions Before Surgery

On the day before surgery, you'll need to carefully follow any instructions your child's surgeon's office gave you at her preoperative appointment. These directions will include information about anesthesia and any eating or drinking restrictions for your child. It will also tell you if your child should take any of her usual medications.

For procedures at one of our two hospitals

If your child is having surgery at Philadelphia Campus, please consult the Philadelphia Campus pre-procedure instructions: English | Español

If your child is having surgery at King of Prussia Campus, please consult the Middleman Family Pavilion at King of Prussia pre-procedure instructions: English | Español

For procedures at CHOP’s Ambulatory Surgery Centers

If your child’s procedure is at Brandywine Valley, Bucks County or Voorhees please read the important information associated with each center about your arrival time and rules for eating and drinking before the procedure. Directions to the surgical site are also included.

CHOP has helpful information about preparing your child for their procedure.

If you have any questions at all about your child's eating and drinking restrictions, call your child's doctor immediately. If your child doesn't properly follow the preparation steps, she may experience complications during the surgery, or the surgery may have to be postponed.