Pediatric Anesthesia: Day of Procedure in Billerica, Westford & Worcester, MA

Important Pre-Operative Guidelines

1. No Food or Drink After Midnight

Your child must not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before their procedure. This includes water, juice, milk, candy, or chewing gum.

Anesthesia cannot be safely administered to a child with food or liquid in their stomach. If your child accidentally consumes anything, please notify us immediately. In many cases, we can delay the procedure to later in the day.

Contact Us Immediately If Needed:

• Billerica: 978-547-2008
  
• Westford: 978-547-2019
  
• Worcester: 978-592-0438
  

2. Medications on the Morning of Surgery

If your child has a prescribed medication that must be taken the morning of surgery, it may be taken with a small sip of water only. This should be discussed with our team in advance during your pre-operative visit.

3. Hygiene Before the Appointment

• Your child may brush their teeth on the morning of the procedure
  
• Please avoid using toothpaste that encourages swallowing
  
• Do not give them mouthwash or allow them to swallow any water
  

4. Parent or Guardian Must Be Present

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all patients under 18 years of age. Due to the nature of the procedure, we recommend not bringing siblings along on the day of surgery so you can focus fully on supporting your child.

5. Hydration the Night Before

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids the evening before their surgery, especially if anesthesia is planned for the next morning.

6. Bring Comfort Items

To help ease anxiety, your child is encouraged to bring:

• A favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket
  
• A device or book
  
• Anything familiar that provides comfort during transitions
  

Our team is trained to support children emotionally as well as physically throughout their visit.

7. Pre-Sedation Preparation

In many cases, your child may be given a liquid sedative (often mixed with Tylenol or ibuprofen) before being brought to the procedure room. This helps them relax and allows for a smoother transition.

• Administered in a private or pre-treatment room
  
• Reduces anxiety and increases cooperation
  
• Will be discussed with you thoroughly at your consultation
  

Learn more about these methods on our Pediatric Oral Surgery page.

8. Cold or Respiratory Illness Before Surgery

If your child develops symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (e.g., cough, runny nose, fever) before the procedure, please call our office. Our clinical team will evaluate the situation and determine whether rescheduling is necessary.

Mild colds do not always require a delay, but we do need to assess your child’s condition to ensure safety.

9. Ask Questions

We encourage you to ask questions before, during, and after your child’s procedure. Our staff is here to guide you through every step.

Visit our Anesthesia Options page to learn more about the different levels of sedation used for pediatric procedures.