Children’s Hospital at North Central Baptist
Dr. Bonilla performs all microtia reconstruction at this pediatric hospital in San Antonio — where he and his surgical team have worked together for over thirty years.
A Children's Hospital Built Entirely for Pediatric Care
Children's Hospital at North Central Baptist is a full-service pediatric hospital — not a children's wing inside an adult facility, but a hospital where every clinician, every protocol, and every piece of equipment exists for one purpose: the care of children. The surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing staff, and operating room teams work exclusively with pediatric patients every day.
For microtia families traveling from other states and countries, this specialization is not incidental. Every standard, protocol, and team member at this hospital is calibrated to pediatric needs — not adapted from adult medicine.
Dr. Bonilla has performed all of his microtia reconstruction surgeries at this hospital for over 30 years. The partnership between Dr. Bonilla and the hospital team is not merely contractual — it is a deep professional relationship built through hundreds of shared cases. That shared history is a genuine component of the factors that contribute to surgical safety here.
The OR Team — Experience Built Over Three Decades
Surgical outcomes are not determined by the surgeon alone. Every operation is the result of a team — the anesthesiologist who maintains the child in a perfectly calibrated anesthetic state for three or four hours, the scrub technician who anticipates what the surgeon needs before it is asked for, the circulating nurse who ensures every instrument and supply is exactly right, the recovery nurses who watch over the first critical hours. A surgical team with this level of shared experience in a single procedure does not develop overnight.
Dr. Bonilla chose Children's Hospital at North Central Baptist and has stayed because the team here has grown alongside him. Over three decades and hundreds of microtia surgeries, the hospital staff has developed a precise, detailed understanding of exactly what microtia reconstruction requires. The pediatric anesthesiologists know the specific demands of children undergoing multi-hour cartilage procedures. The OR nurses know the instrument trays, the procedure's flow, and the timing. The recovery nurses know what the first hours after a microtia surgery look like and what children need in those hours.
This institutional knowledge cannot be replicated elsewhere — it develops through years of shared experience across hundreds of cases. Families who travel to San Antonio are choosing not only a surgeon but a hospital team that has worked alongside that surgeon, on this specific procedure, for over thirty years.
Why not operate closer to home? Parents sometimes ask whether Dr. Bonilla could operate at a hospital in their state. The honest answer is that the quality of care depends on the team — not just the surgeon. The relationships Dr. Bonilla has built with this hospital's anesthesiology and OR staff over 30 years are a genuine component of surgical excellence. Starting over in a new hospital with an unfamiliar team would mean giving up something real.
One-on-one nursing care during recovery Following surgery, your child receives dedicated, individualized nursing attention during recovery. The staff here is experienced specifically with pediatric post-surgical patients and familiar with what microtia patients need in the hours after surgery — not just clinically, but as frightened and disoriented children who need warmth and reassurance alongside medical monitoring.
The Operating Room Team
Microtia reconstruction is a multi-hour pediatric surgery requiring precision at every level — from anesthesia to instrumentation to recovery. This team has developed that precision through thirty years of working together on exactly these cases.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
For families who have traveled far to get here, surgery day carries a particular mix of anticipation, nervousness, and relief that the day has finally arrived. Knowing what will happen — step by step — takes away some of the uncertainty. Here is what a typical surgery day looks like. Your specific instructions will be provided by Dr. Bonilla's office in your pre-operative packet.
Fasting (NPO) instructions are a critical safety requirement. Children must follow specific fasting guidelines before anesthesia. Your exact instructions will be in your pre-operative packet — follow them carefully. Generally, no solid food for several hours before surgery, with specific cutoffs for formula and clear liquids. When in doubt, call Dr. Bonilla's office at (210) 477-3277.
- ✓Insurance card and photo ID for the parent or guardian
- ✓Completed pre-admission forms provided by the hospital in advance
- ✓Child's comfort item — a stuffed animal, small blanket, or beloved toy. Nursing staff welcomes these in pre-op
- ✓Loose, front-opening clothing for your child — easy to dress around post-surgery dressings
- ✓Snacks and entertainment for waiting parents — surgery takes several hours; bring your own food, a book, or a device
- ✓Phone charger — you will want a charged phone for updates and photos when surgery is done
- ✓Overnight bag — a change of clothes for one parent, toiletries, and anything your child will want during hospital recovery
- ✓Medication list — all current medications with dosages
Siblings at the hospital: If you are traveling with other children, plan for their care during the surgery hours. A second parent or family member who can look after siblings while one parent waits in the family area makes surgery day significantly smoother for everyone.
Traveling parents: If only one parent has traveled with the child, Dr. Bonilla's staff is happy to be a point of contact for updates for family members back home. You will not be navigating this day alone.
Directions & Parking
520 Madison Oak Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258
The Stone Oak Area — Practical Information
Children's Hospital at North Central Baptist sits in the Stone Oak area on San Antonio's north side — a well-developed suburban neighborhood with every convenience families need for a week-long stay. Hotels of all types, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and family-friendly activities are all close by.
The hospital is approximately 5 miles from Dr. Bonilla's office at 9502 Huebner Road, Suite 301 — a short drive families will make several times for pre-operative visits and post-operative follow-ups.
Hotels near the hospital
Multiple hotels sit within 5–10 minutes of the hospital. For the 5–7 day post-operative recovery period, extended-stay hotels with kitchen suites are particularly comfortable — they provide more living space and the ability to prepare simple meals rather than relying entirely on takeout when your child is recovering. Dr. Bonilla's office can provide current hotel recommendations when your surgery is scheduled.
Dr. Bonilla's office
Pre-operative and follow-up appointments take place at 9502 Huebner Road, Suite 301, San Antonio, TX 78240. Families typically visit the office the day before surgery and again a few days after before traveling home.
Still have questions about getting here? Dr. Bonilla's office staff are experienced helping out-of-town families navigate San Antonio. Call (210) 477-3277 — we want your time here to feel as easy and supported as possible.
Support for Families Traveling to San Antonio
A significant portion of Dr. Bonilla's patients travel from other states — and many from other countries. His team has helped hundreds of traveling families plan their time in San Antonio and they are ready to help yours.
Dr. Bonilla's office coordinator can assist with travel logistics questions. They have helped hundreds of families from out of town and around the world, and they know every common question and practical challenge. The sooner you contact the office, the more flexibility everyone has. Call (210) 477-3277 or reach out through the contact form.
Questions Families Ask About the Hospital
Yes. All stages of microtia reconstruction — Stage 1 (cartilage framework placement), Stage 2 (formation of the lobule), and Stage 3 (elevation and sulcus creation) — are performed at Children's Hospital at North Central Baptist. Families traveling from out of town return to San Antonio and to this hospital for each stage.
Stage 2 is outpatient and the patient may return home the same day. Stage 3 requires a stay of 5 to 7 days in San Antonio. Your surgery coordinator will give you a complete staging timeline at your initial consultation.
Yes. Both parents are welcome and encouraged to be present. In the pre-operative area, both parents can typically stay with the child until the child is taken into the OR. During surgery, both parents wait together in the family waiting area. One parent is typically allowed into the recovery room as soon as the child is awake and stable.
The hospital follows a family-centered care model and understands that having both parents present is important — particularly for families who have traveled far to be here.
Most children are observed overnight following Stage 1 and discharged the morning after surgery. Discharge instructions and dressing care will be reviewed with parents before leaving.
After Stage 1, the patient usually stays in the vicinity of San Antonio for 5–7 days because the drains are removed. They may return home after drain removal if they live far away. After Stage 2, they may return home the same day. After Stage 3, the patient is discharged the same day but must return after 5–7 days for sponge removal before traveling home.
Yes. There is only an overnight stay after the first stage, and both parents can stay in the child's room at Children's Hospital at North Central Baptist.
Dr. Bonilla's team provides direct contact information for post-operative questions. For questions about dressings, activity, or the appearance of the surgical site, call the office at (210) 477-3277 at any time.
Telehealth follow-up appointments are also available for families who cannot travel back for a scheduled check-in. Dr. Bonilla's team will work with your situation.
Request a Consultation
Families travel from across the United States and around the world for this combination of surgical expertise and an experienced, dedicated hospital team. Dr. Bonilla’s office will help you plan every aspect of your time in San Antonio.
To get started, submit your information through our contact form and Dr. Bonilla’s team will be in touch to schedule a virtual consultation.