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CION Cancer Clinics
Nausea and vomiting after anaesthesia | CION Cancer Clinics
Feeling sick or vomiting after an anaesthetic usually settles within hours, and for most people by the end of the first day. It is one of the most common after-effects of surgery, and medicines can prevent and treat it. This page explains why it happens, who is more likely to get it, what the team does, and when vomiting needs checking. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Muralidhar MuddusettyConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery, AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- How long does vomiting after anaesthesia last?
- Who is more likely to feel sick after surgery?
- What does the team do to stop you being sick?
- Which anti-sickness medicines might you see?
- What do people wrongly believe about sickness after surgery?
- What helps, and what can this page not tell you?
- Common questions about nausea and vomiting after anaesthesia
The short answer
How long does vomiting after anaesthesia last?
For most people, feeling sick or vomiting after an anaesthetic settles within hours, and usually by the end of the first day. It is one of the most common after-effects of surgery, and there are medicines to prevent and treat it. Vomiting that goes on longer, or starts again days later, needs to be checked.
Why it happens
Anaesthetic gases and strong pain medicines act on the part of the brain that controls sickness. The operation itself adds to it, especially surgery on the stomach, bowel, ear or eye. Moving too soon, an empty stomach, anxiety and pain can all make it worse.
Why the team takes it seriously
Repeated vomiting is miserable, and it can also strain a fresh wound, leave you dry, upset the salts in your blood and delay eating and going home. After some operations, such as on the food pipe or stomach, it can put pressure on the join the surgeon has made. So tell the nurse early rather than trying to put up with it.
Feeling sick is not a sign that the operation went wrong. It is a common reaction to anaesthesia and pain relief.Who gets it
Who is more likely to feel sick after surgery?
Your anaesthetist asks about these before the operation, so that preventive medicines can be planned for you.
Your own history
People who were sick after a previous anaesthetic, or who get travel sickness, are more likely to be sick again. Say so at the check.
Women and non-smokers
For reasons that are not fully understood, women and people who do not smoke have a higher chance. This is not a reason to start smoking.
Strong pain medicines
Morphine-type medicines, often called opioids, commonly cause sickness. Other forms of pain relief can reduce how much of them you need.
The type of operation
Longer operations and some kinds of surgery carry a higher chance.
Often linked with
- Abdominal and keyhole surgery
- Breast and gynaecological surgery
- Ear, eye and some head and neck surgery
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistPrevention and treatment
What does the team do to stop you being sick?
Planning before surgery
The anaesthetist scores your risk from your history and your operation. Higher risk means more than one preventive medicine and a gentler choice of anaesthetic.
During the operation
Anti-sickness medicines are often given into the drip while you are asleep. Fluids keep you from becoming dry, and pain relief is chosen to limit opioids where possible.
In the recovery room
Nurses ask how you feel as soon as you wake. If you feel sick, tell them. A different medicine can be given quickly, and you can be sat up or given oxygen.
Back on the ward
You start with sips of water and move to light food as you feel ready. Anti-sickness medicine stays on your chart so the nurse can give it whenever you ask.
On your chart
Which anti-sickness medicines might you see?
- Ondansetron
- One of the most commonly used anti-sickness medicines, given into the drip or as a melt-in-the-mouth tablet. Sold in India under names such as Emeset and Ondem.
- Dexamethasone
- A steroid often given once during the operation to prevent sickness. People with diabetes may see a rise in their sugar readings for a while.
- Metoclopramide
- Helps the stomach empty and reduces sickness. Often sold as Perinorm.
- PONV
- Short for post-operative nausea and vomiting. It is simply the medical name for feeling sick and being sick after surgery.
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Commonly believed
What do people wrongly believe about sickness after surgery?
"If I refuse pain medicine, I will not be sick."
Pain itself causes sickness, and it stops you breathing deeply and walking. Tell the team you are worried about sickness. They can change the type of pain relief rather than leave you in pain.
"Eat a big meal quickly to settle the stomach."
A heavy meal soon after surgery is more likely to come back up. Start with sips of water, then light, plain food such as idli, dry toast or rice with dal, when the team says you can.
"Being sick means the operation went wrong."
In most people it is a reaction to the anaesthetic and pain medicines, and it passes. Vomiting that continues or returns after you had started eating is different and should be checked.
"Anti-sickness medicine is only for chemotherapy."
The same kinds of medicine are used routinely after surgery. Ask for a dose when you feel sick. You do not need to wait until you vomit.
!
When vomiting is a warning sign
Tell the nurse at once, or go to the nearest emergency department if you are home, if you cannot keep any fluids down, if the vomit is green, dark brown or contains blood, or if vomiting comes with a swollen, hard or very painful belly. The same applies if you have not passed wind or opened your bowels after bowel surgery, or feel faint and pass very little urine. Do not keep taking tablets by mouth that you cannot keep down.
Being straight with you
What helps, and what can this page not tell you?
Tell the anaesthetist before surgery if you have been sick after an anaesthetic before or get travel sickness. That single piece of history changes the plan more than anything else you can do.
Simple things that help on the ward
Move slowly when sitting up or standing. Take small sips of cool water rather than large gulps. Breathe slowly through the mouth when a wave of sickness comes. Ask for anti-sickness medicine early, before it builds up. Some people find ginger or a little lemon on the tongue soothing once they are allowed to eat. Fresh air, a cool cloth on the forehead and avoiding strong smells, such as food trolleys or perfume, can also help.
If you are also having chemotherapy
People who have had chemotherapy before surgery sometimes feel sick more easily. Tell the team which anti-sickness medicines helped you during chemotherapy, as that is useful for planning. Bring the medicine strips if you still have them.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you how sick you personally will feel, or which medicine will suit you. It also cannot tell whether vomiting after you go home is a normal after-effect or a complication. That needs a doctor to examine you.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about nausea and vomiting after anaesthesia
Is it normal to vomit after general anaesthesia?
Yes, it is one of the most common after-effects, and most people who feel sick improve within hours. It is more likely after longer operations and strong pain medicines. Tell the nurse as soon as you feel sick, because treating it early works better than waiting.
When should vomiting after surgery worry me?
When it goes on beyond the first day, returns after you had started eating, stops you keeping any fluid down, or comes with a swollen painful belly, green or bloody vomit, fever, or very little urine. Any of these needs a doctor to check you the same day.
Can I ask for anti-sickness medicine before I am sick?
Yes. Many patients receive a preventive dose during the operation anyway. On the ward, anti-sickness medicine is usually written up so nurses can give it when you ask. Ask as soon as you feel queasy rather than waiting until you actually vomit.
I was very sick after my last operation. Will it happen again?
You are more likely to feel sick again, but it can often be reduced. Tell your anaesthetist at the check before surgery. They can use more than one preventive medicine, choose a different anaesthetic and plan pain relief that relies less on opioids.
What should I eat after vomiting stops?
Start with sips of water, then clear soups or coconut water if the team allows. Move to small portions of plain food such as idli, curd rice or toast. Avoid oily, spicy or heavy meals for the first day or so, and eat slowly.
Can a spinal or nerve block reduce sickness?
Often, yes. Regional anaesthesia usually means fewer anaesthetic gases and fewer strong pain medicines, both of which cause sickness. It is not suitable for every operation or every person. Ask the anaesthetist whether it is an option for you.
I have diabetes. Does vomiting affect my sugar?
It can. If you are not eating, diabetes medicines may push your sugar too low. A steroid given to prevent sickness may push it higher. Ask the nurses to check your sugar regularly, and do not take your usual diabetes tablets at home without advice if you are not eating.
I went home and started vomiting again. What should I do?
Call the ward or the helpline for advice the same day. Sickness that returns after you had been eating, especially after bowel or stomach surgery, may need an examination. Go to the nearest emergency department if you cannot keep fluids down or have severe belly pain.
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Sources
- NHS — General anaesthesia
- Cancer Research UK — Surgery for cancer
- American Cancer Society — Cancer surgery
- NICE — Perioperative care in adults (NG180)
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
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