Postoperative nausea (PONV) is one of the most annoying things after surgery. It can make you feel terrible, keep you from eating or drinking, and lengthen your hospital stay. Knowing what raises your risk and what actually helps can cut the misery fast.
Nausea after surgery usually comes from a mix of things: the anesthetic, opioids for pain, the type and length of surgery, and individual sensitivity. Women, people with a history of motion sickness or previous PONV, non-smokers, and those getting certain procedures (like ear, eye, gynecologic, or laparoscopic surgeries) are more likely to feel sick. Longer operations and use of inhaled anesthetics or postoperative opioids also raise the odds.
Talk to your anesthesiologist. Tell them if you get motion sick or you threw up after surgery before. Ask about a plan to prevent nausea. Many teams use a "multimodal" approach: a combination of drugs given at different times to lower risk. Common choices are ondansetron and dexamethasone, and some people get a scopolamine patch. If you can, ask whether total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol is an option — it often causes less nausea than inhaled gases.
Other practical moves: follow fasting instructions but avoid dehydration before surgery; the anesthesiologist can give IV fluids if needed. If possible, ask about strategies to limit opioid use after surgery — non-opioid pain relievers and nerve blocks can reduce nausea triggers.
After surgery, small sips of clear fluids, sucking ice chips, and staying propped up rather than lying flat often help. Avoid strong smells and spicy foods until your stomach settles. Gentle movement — sitting up, walking a short distance — can sometimes ease queasiness faster than staying in bed.
Non-drug options that many people find useful include ginger (candied ginger, tea, or capsules) and pressure on the P6 point (wrist acupressure bands). These aren’t miracle cures but they’re low risk and can add to relief when used with medical antiemetics.
If nausea doesn't respond, common medications used in recovery are ondansetron (Zofran), metoclopramide, and promethazine. These are given by IV or orally depending on how you feel. Always follow the care team’s dosing and ask about side effects — some drugs can cause drowsiness or movement-related issues.
Call for help if you can’t keep fluids down for more than 24 hours, show signs of dehydration (dizziness, very dark urine), have severe belly pain, fever, or blood in vomit. Those need prompt attention.
Before your next operation, make a short checklist: tell the team your nausea history, ask about antiemetic prophylaxis, inquire about TIVA or opioid-sparing pain control, and pack acupressure bands or ginger if you want them. Small steps before and after surgery often make recovery much easier.
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