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Overview | Staff | FAQs Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What day of the week will my child’s surgery be on? The surgery team is available to operate seven days a week. However, surgery at CCMC is typically done on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday. Depending on the circumstances, arrangements can be made to do surgery on other days of the week.   Is there any chance my child's surgery will get cancelled? We try very hard to keep all surgeries as scheduled. However, there are instances where emergencies come up and we have to postpone scheduled surgeries. Additionally, surgeries will be postponed if your child is sick on the day of surgery.   Can my child have immunizations prior to surgery? We prefer if no immunizations are scheduled in the one week prior to surgery and for about 4-6 weeks after surgery.   When will my child and I meet with Dr. Mello? Every patient will have a pre-surgery visit approximately 1-2 weeks prior to their scheduled surgery. You will meet with Dr. Mello and his physician assistant, Katie, at this time.   What will our pre-surgery visit entail? You and your child will come to the hospital approximately a half hour prior to your scheduled appointment and you will stop at the X-ray Department, which is located at 1J. Here, your child will have a chest x-ray. The forms for the x-ray will be faxed down prior to your arrival. The x-ray will be read by a radiologist and then you will take this film up to the Cardiology / Cardiac Surgery Department, which is located at 2B. You and your child will then meet with Dr. Mello and Katie. We will ask you many questions and your child will have a physical exam. Additionally, we will ask you to sign the permission forms that are required for the surgery. Following your appointment, blood work will be drawn at the laboratory, which is located at 2H.   Can I donate blood for my child’s surgery? Yes. You may contact the American Red Cross to find out more information about Directed Blood Donation at (860) 678-5433.   Can I take a tour of the hospital prior to surgery? Yes and we highly recommend it. Please call Child Life at 545-9880 to register.   Will my child need to stay in the hospital the night before surgery? Not usually. Most patients are admitted the morning of surgery unless your child was previously admitted for other reasons.   What should my child do the night before surgery? Have your child take a bath or shower and do exactly what you would normally do. If your child is 1 year or older and their surgery is scheduled for first thing in the morning, your child is not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight. If your child is less than 1 year old and their surgery is scheduled for first thing in the morning, your child may take breast milk up until 3AM and then nothing further is allowed. If your child is formula fed, their last feeding is to end by 1AM. Additionally, they may then take clear liquids (water, Pedialyte, apple juice, and sugar water) up until 3AM and then nothing further is allowed. If your child’s surgery is scheduled to start later in the day, please ask Dr. Mello or Katie what is an appropriate time to observe the above guidelines.   What time is “first thing in the morning” and what time should my child and I arrive at the hospital? First thing in the morning usually refers to an approximate surgery start time of 8AM. You and your child should arrive at the hospital at 6:30AM. You and your child will need to go to the pre-surgery area (3A) located on the third floor just off the elevators, to check-in upon arrival.   Is there anything specific we should bring to the hospital? You are not required to bring anything with you. However, your child is allowed to take a favorite toy or blanket with them into the operating room if they desire. Additionally, if space allows, families are given a family sleeping room located just outside of the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit), so you may wish you bring personal items if you plan on spending the night in the hospital.   What will happen once we get to the hospital? After checking in at 3A, your child will be asked to put on special hospital pajamas. Your child will then get weighed and have their vital signs checked. You will meet with the anesthesiologists and nurses. Dr. Mello and Katie will also see you prior to the start of surgery. Additionally, your child may get medication to help them relax prior to going into the operating room.   Where should I wait while my child is having surgery? There are multiple waiting areas located on the 3rd floor of the hospital. Additionally, some families decide to wait in the cafeteria, which is located on the G level. The hospital staff in the pre-surgery area will help to direct you.   Where will my child recover after surgery? Almost all of our cardiac surgery patients spend a one night minimum in the PICU. Once released from the PICU, recovery will continue on the regular hospital floors. Hospital stays will vary depending on multiple factors, including your child’s age and surgical procedure. Ask Dr. Mello or Katie for further information on an approximate length of stay.   What can we expect in the PICU? Most patients will still have a breathing tube in place on arrival to the PICU. Your child will have various monitoring devices in place, as well. Additionally, your child may have a chest tube(s) in place. Ask Dr. Mello and Katie for specifics as this will also vary by patient age and surgical procedure. The PICU staff will be more than happy to point out everything to you when you arrive in there. We promise that once these monitoring devices / chest tube(s) are no longer needed, we will remove them as soon as we possibly can.   Will my child be in pain? We will do everything we possibly can to control the amount of pain that your child is experiencing. For further information please ask Dr. Mello or Katie. Additionally, you may also refer to our hospital "Comfort Central" hand out for information.   I understand that (if space allows) I will have a family sleep room while my child is in the PICU. What about once my child is in a regular hospital room? Once your child is on the regular hospital floors, you may stay in the room with your child all night.   Are there any special instructions on discharge? Yes. General Discharge Instructions: All Ages You will need to schedule a follow up appointment with cardiology and cardiac surgery for 1-2 weeks after your child’s hospital discharge. Sutures and steri-strips will be removed at this time. You will need to get a chest x-ray (1J) to bring with you to this appointment. It is very important to always monitor your child’s incisions for any possible infection. Please report any redness, swelling, drainage or fevers to us immediately if this develops. It is all right to shower / bathe your child as usual once you have been discharged from the hospital. You will want to wash all incisions very carefully and gently pat dry. No swimming is allowed until all incisions are completely healed over and all scabs have fallen off on their own. This is to avoid any possible contamination of the wound and potential infection. This time period usually lasts about a month. Please do not put any lotions or creams on the incisions until everything is completely healed over and all scabs have fallen off on their own. Again, this precaution is to avoid any potential infection. Age – Specific Discharge Instructions: For babies: No picking up your child from underneath their arms for 8 weeks. Please pick your child up by scooping underneath their back. This is to protect their sternum as it is healing. For older children: No rigorous physical activity, including gym class, for 8 weeks. Additionally, no lifting greater than 5 lbs for 8 weeks. If your child is old enough to drive, we do not allow any driving for 8 weeks post surgery. These precautions are to protect the sternum as it is healing.   Are there any forms that I can fill out ahead of time to expedite the process when my child is admitted? Yes. Click here for the pre-admission testing form which can be completed and faxed back to us at 860-545-9888.