Having Surgery: What to Expect

Learn more about the critical steps parents and guardians must take before a surgical date can be set.

Children’s National recommends reviewing these checklists as soon as your child’s surgery is scheduled.

For your child's health and safety during surgery, please follow these pre-surgery restrictions for eating food and drinking liquids.

Find out what to expect as you plan an appointment for your child, what will happen on the day of surgery and what to do after surgery.

Signing up for our tour helps families understand our process for surgery preparation.

We want to make the perioperative experience as seamless as possible, assuring you that your child’s safety is always our number one concern.