Planning for surgery and procedures requiring anesthesia

Having surgery or a procedure requiring anesthesia with us means your child will be cared for by some of the nation's most skilled and experienced medical professionals — surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, child life specialists, social workers and other health care professionals. These experts work together to guide your child safely and smoothly through surgery and recovery.

If you are preparing for a surgery or procedure requiring anesthesia, check out our Family Services section. From there you can get information on how talk to children about medical treatment, find out how child life specialists can help prepare your child and family for your visit, discover places in and around the hospital to relax and programs for kids, or learn about our support programs.

Most children having a procedure will come to the hospital or alternate facility as an outpatient, meaning your child will have their procedure and after recovering from anesthesia, return home the same day.

Some procedures require a child to stay in the hospital for a longer period of time. If your child will not be going home the day of his/her surgery or procedure, your doctor or nurse will tell you how to plan and what to expect.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's procedure, talk to your child's doctor and nurse. The more you know about what will be happening to your child, and how your child may be feeling, the more relaxed you, your family, and most importantly your child will be.

If you have any questions or need information clarified, please call the location where your child's procedure is scheduled:

  • Lincoln Park: Children's Memorial Hospital, 773.880.4394
  • Glenview: Children's Memorial Outpatient Center at Glenbrook Hospital, 847.657.1804
    Call only on the day of the procedure; for questions before the day of, please contact the physician performing the surgery/procedure.
  • Westchester: Children's Memorial Outpatient Center in Westchester, 708.836.4853