Surgery Recovery Nausea and Vomiting After Surgery By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN LinkedIn Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 04, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jennifer Schwartz, MD Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD Jennifer Schwartz, MD, is board-certified in general surgery with a subspecialty certification in bariatric surgery. She serves as an assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine, and practices in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major problem during recovery from surgery. It's also quite common. After surgery: 30% of people have vomiting50% have nausea80% of high-risk people have both PONV can lead to complications. These include dehydration, discomfort, pain, and problems with the incision. This article looks at the possible complications, reasons for nausea and vomiting, and how to prevent it. Verywell / JR Bee Complications of Nausea and Vomiting Feeling nauseous after surgery is uncomfortable. It can drastically slow your return to normal eating and drinking. Vomiting is more serious. It can cause dehydration and pain. Plus it puts a lot of stress on some incisions. That can lead to major complications. The sides of the incision can pull apart. Organs may even protrude through the opening. These problems are called dehiscence and evisceration. When PONV starts, quick treatment can prevent serious issues. When Surgical Incisions Open Why Is Nausea Common After Surgery? PONV happens for several reasons. It's a known risk of anesthesia. Other causes include: DehydrationTaking medications on an empty stomachReturning too quickly to a normal dietLack of preventative medication Research suggests you're more like to have PONV if you're: FemaleOver 50A non-smokerProne to motion sickness The type of anesthesia also plays a role. If you're sedated for an outpatient or dental procedure, you'll get less anesthesia and for less time than the average person having major surgery. Less medication means you're less likely to have nausea and vomiting after surgery. You're also more likely to tolerate food and beverages soon after the procedure. Some people have nausea and vomiting every time they go under anesthesia. That makes preventing the problem more important. This may mean getting medications before and even during surgery. That way, they're in full effect when you really need them. If you have chronic nausea, you're at a far higher risk of POVN. It's common for anesthesia to make your typical urge to vomit even worse. Recap PONV is unpleasant and can cause problems with your incision. It can be caused by many things, including dehydration and medication. You're more likely to have it if you're female and over 50. You can be given medications before or during surgery to prevent PONV. Prevention With proper planning and communication, you and your medical care team can prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. Talk to Your Care Team If you have chronic nausea or you've had PONV before, you're at risk of having it again. Talk to your surgeon and anesthesiologist about it. They may be able to choose medications that are less likely to cause nausea and vomiting. Your care team can also provide preventative medications such as: Zofran (ondansetron) Phenergan (promethazine) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) These medications can also be used if you're nauseous after surgery. Speak up as soon as you notice nausea. How to Prevent Post-Op Nausea Prevent Dehydration Staying hydrated before and after surgery can help prevent PONV. You need to stay away from food and non-clear liquids for safety reasons. But anesthesiologists sometimes okay clear fluids closer to the time of surgery. Dehydration can be a problem after procedures, as well. Drinks containing electrolytes can help hydrate you more quickly than other beverages. If you're recovering at home, have a sports drink or Pedialyte. If you're in the hospital, ask the nurse for something with electrolytes. Why You Can't Eat or Drink Before Surgery Recap Your care team can help prevent PONV with the choice of anesthesia drugs and anti-nausea medications. It can also help to stay hydrated. Control Your Pain Don't skip your pain medication because you're nauseous. You may be concerned that the drugs will make you sick. But research suggests pain makes you more likely to vomit. Pain control can make it less likely. Don’t Rush Your Diet Slowly return to normal foods to minimize nausea. Usually, after surgery, you don't get to eat until you're passing gas. After that, stick with small amounts of clear fluids for a few hours. If they don't bother you, try to drink some juice or milk. Assuming you're still doing well, then introduce some soft foods. Applesauce or pudding are common choices. Go back to a normal diet only if you've been able to tolerate everything so far. Keep it slow and cautious, though. Recap Pain makes vomiting more likely. Stick to your pain medications even if you're worried they'll make you nauseous. Return to food slowly—clear liquids, then other fluids, soft food, and finally, regular food if you've tolerated everything else. Temperature May Be Key Some people are sensitive to the temperature of fluids. If cold drinks tend to bother your stomach, ask for room-temperature or warmer drinks. Or, if hot drinks are a problem, ask for cooler options. Getting overheated makes some people nauseous. If you're feeling overly warm, do what you can to cool off. Use Ginger Ginger, in general, has been shown to help with nausea. Candy and other foods that contain real ginger can be helpful. Be sure they contain real ginger and not just flavoring. Some people make tea with fresh ginger and drink it hot or over ice for relief. Flat ginger ale may be soothing to the stomach and help with nausea. Avoid carbonated drinks, though. Contrary to popular belief, they can make nausea worse. Again, check the label to see if it contains actual ginger or artificial flavor. Ginger and Nausea Avoid Strong Smells Avoid heavily scented people and places if you're prone to nausea after anesthesia. For hospital stays, tell your care team you're avoiding fragrances. Ask people who may visit you during recovery to skip body sprays, perfume, and other fragranced products. Ask for foods with mild smells, too. Strong odors can easily turn a bout of nausea into a bout of vomiting, so don't hesitate to stay away from room fresheners or even fresh flowers and cut grass. Recap Room-temperature liquids may be easier on your stomach. Don't let yourself get overheated.Ginger can help with nausea. Make sure products contain real ginger and not artificial flavors. Avoid strong odors. Summary PONV causes discomfort and is hard on incisions. It has many causes. Medications before or during surgery can prevent PONV. To combat nausea: Stay hydratedManage your painReturn slowly to a normal dietTry warm drinks instead of coldManage your body temperatureEat/drink gingerAvoid strong odors Let someone know as soon as you feel nauseous. A Word From Verywell Prevention is incredibly important when it comes to postoperative nausea and vomiting. It's far easier to prevent than to treat. Communication is key, both before and after surgery. Keep your care team informed so they can help you avoid PONV and the problems it can create. Frequently Asked Questions What causes post-op nausea and vomiting? Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of anesthesia. Post-surgery stomach problems can also be caused by:Having an empty stomachTaking medication on an empty stomachReturning to a normal diet too quickly after surgeryPainPain medications How long does post-surgery nausea last? Nausea after surgery can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. What medications help with nausea after surgery? Medications used to treat post-surgical nausea and vomiting include:Compazine (prochlorperazine)Phenergan (promethazine)Reglan (metoclopramide)ScopolamineZofran (ondansetron) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Smith HS, Smith EJ, Smith BR. Postoperative nausea and vomiting. Ann Palliat Med. 2012;1(2):94-102. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-5820.2012.07.05 Shaikh SI, Nagarekha D, Hegade G, Marutheesh M. Postoperative nausea and vomiting: A simple yet complex problem. Anesth Essays Res. 2016;10(3):388–396. doi:10.4103/0259-1162.179310 Chatterjee S, Rudra A, Sengupta S. Current concepts in the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anesthesiol Res Pract. 2011;2011:748031. doi:10.1155/2011/748031 Moreno C, Veiga D, Pereira H, Martinho C, Abelha F. Postoperative nausea and vomiting: incidence, characteristics and risk factors--a prospective cohort study. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim. 2013;60(5):249-56. doi:10.1016/j.redar.2013.02.005 Gan TJ, Diemunsch P, Habib AS, et al. Consensus guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anesth Analg. 2014;118(1):85-113. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000000002 Yavuz MS, Kazancı D, Turan S, et al. Investigation of the effects of preoperative hydration on the postoperative nausea and vomiting. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:302747. doi:10.1155/2014/302747 Chandrakantan A, Glass PS. Multimodal therapies for postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain. Br J Anaesth. 2011;107 Suppl 1:i27-40. doi:10.1093/bja/aer358 Tóth B, Lantos T, Hegyi P, et al. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): An alternative for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 2018;50:8-18. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.007 Cleveland Clinic. Ginger ale and saltine crackers? 5 ways to ease stomach pain and nausea. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Effects of anesthesia. Additional Reading American Nurse. Putting a stop to postop nausea and vomiting. Smith HS, Smith EJ, Smith BR. Postoperative nausea and vomiting. Ann Palliat Med. 2012;1(2):94-102. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-5820.2012.07.05