How to make nausea go away after surgery and speed up your recovery

September 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common side effect, affecting up to 80% of high-risk patients. Learning how to make nausea go away after surgery is a critical step for a smoother, more comfortable recovery process at home, minimizing discomfort and helping you get back on your feet faster.

Quick Summary

Manage nausea after surgery with simple steps like staying hydrated with clear fluids, eating bland foods in small amounts, and getting plenty of rest. Many find relief with ginger, deep breathing exercises, and avoiding strong smells. If the problem persists, consult your doctor about potential medication adjustments or antiemetics.

Key Points

Hydrate Slowly: Sip on clear liquids and suck on ice chips immediately after surgery to rehydrate and settle your stomach.
Eat Bland Foods: When you're ready for food, stick to bland, low-fat options like crackers, toast, and applesauce to avoid upsetting your digestive system.
Leverage Ginger and Peppermint: Natural remedies like ginger tea or peppermint aromatherapy can be very effective in calming nausea.
Stay Upright: Avoid lying flat immediately after eating. Sit up for at least 30 minutes to assist digestion.
Manage Pain Proactively: Take prescribed pain medication with food to prevent it from causing nausea, and report severe pain to your doctor as it can also trigger sickness.
Know When to Call a Doctor: Seek immediate medical care if you are too dizzy to stand, cannot keep fluids down, or if nausea worsens after 24-48 hours.

Why does nausea happen after surgery?

Nausea after surgery can be caused by a combination of factors. The most common culprits include the effects of anesthesia and pain medications, particularly opioids, on the body's digestive system. The physiological stress of the procedure itself, changes in diet, dehydration, and a history of motion sickness can also increase your risk.

The role of anesthesia

Anesthetic drugs are designed to relax the body, but they can also disrupt the normal signals between the brain and the gut, leading to feelings of queasiness. The type and duration of anesthesia, as well as individual patient sensitivity, play a significant role in how long these side effects last.

Pain medication side effects

Many strong pain relievers, especially narcotics, can induce nausea. Taking these medications on an empty stomach can exacerbate the issue. It's often recommended to take pain medicine with a small amount of food to help mitigate this side effect.

Dehydration and diet changes

Pre-surgery fasting and fluid loss during the procedure can lead to dehydration, which directly contributes to nausea. The sudden change from fasting to introducing food can also overwhelm a sensitive post-surgical stomach.

Practical steps to make nausea go away

Managing nausea at home involves a multi-pronged approach combining dietary adjustments, hydration strategies, and mindful actions.

Mindful eating and hydration

Start slowly with liquids: Begin with sips of clear liquids like water, diluted juice, or broth. Electrolyte-rich drinks or sports drinks can also aid hydration.
Transition to bland foods: Once liquids are tolerated, introduce bland, low-fat, and easy-to-digest foods. Think crackers, toast, bananas, applesauce, or plain rice. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a classic for a reason.
Eat small, frequent meals: Avoid large meals that can put stress on your digestive system. Opt for several small snacks or meals throughout the day.

Home remedies for relief

Ginger: Ginger has natural anti-nausea properties. Sip on ginger tea, suck on ginger candy, or drink flat ginger ale.
Peppermint: The scent and flavor of peppermint can be soothing. Try peppermint tea, or use a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a diffuser or on a tissue.
Breathe fresh air: Sometimes, a gentle flow of cool, fresh air can help. Open a window or use a fan. Overheating can make nausea worse.

Lifestyle adjustments

Acupressure: Applying pressure to the P6 point on the inside of your wrist is an ancient technique that can help relieve nausea. Acupressure bands are widely available.
Rest upright: Avoid lying flat immediately after eating. Stay upright for at least 30 minutes to help with digestion.
Avoid strong odors: Scents from cooking, perfumes, or cleaning supplies can trigger or worsen nausea. Stay in a well-ventilated area and avoid strong smells.

When to seek medical advice

While most cases of postoperative nausea are manageable at home and subside within 24-48 hours, some situations require a call to your doctor.

Warning signs to watch for include:

Nausea or vomiting that worsens or doesn't improve after 24-48 hours.
Inability to keep down any fluids, leading to dehydration.
Signs of dehydration, such as dark-colored urine, excessive thirst, dry mouth, and infrequent urination.
Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing.
Feeling too unwell to care for yourself at home.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe antiemetic medication or adjust your existing pain management plan to alleviate the symptoms. In some cases, IV fluids may be necessary to correct dehydration.

Comparison of anti-nausea strategies


Method	How It Works	Best For	Considerations
Dietary Changes	Easing the digestive system with bland foods and liquids.	Mild to moderate nausea. All ages.	Requires patience and a slow progression. Start with clear liquids first.
Ginger	Natural anti-inflammatory and digestive aid.	Immediate relief from general queasiness.	Can be found in tea, candies, or supplements. Ensure it's real ginger, not just flavoring.
Acupressure	Applying pressure to specific points to balance the body's energy.	Those who prefer non-pharmacological methods.	May not work for everyone. Wristbands can be worn consistently.
Antiemetic Medication	Blocks brain receptors that trigger nausea signals.	Severe or persistent nausea not responsive to home care.	Prescription required. Discuss side effects with your doctor.
Hydration	Restoring fluid balance and preventing dehydration.	All cases, especially if vomiting occurs.	Critical for recovery. Consider electrolyte drinks if needed.

Long-term management and prevention

Proactively managing your recovery can help reduce the risk of nausea from the start. Communicate openly with your anesthesiologist before surgery about any history of motion sickness, previous experiences with anesthesia, or anxiety. They can often provide pre-emptive anti-nausea treatment. After your procedure, continue to follow dietary guidelines, stay hydrated, and manage your pain effectively to prevent nausea from recurring.

The importance of rest

Adequate rest is crucial for your body to heal and can help reduce anxiety, a known trigger for nausea. Creating a calm, restful environment with limited stimuli is beneficial for a smooth recovery.

Conclusion

Understanding how to make nausea go away after surgery involves a combination of strategies. From simple hydration and dietary adjustments to utilizing natural remedies like ginger and peppermint, you have several options to improve your comfort. Always prioritize your doctor's instructions, and don't hesitate to seek medical advice if your symptoms are severe or persistent. A little preparation and mindful self-care can make a significant difference in your post-surgical journey. For more authoritative guidance on surgery recovery, visit the website of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most people, postoperative nausea resolves within 24 to 48 hours. The duration can depend on the type of anesthesia used, the length of the procedure, and your individual risk factors. If nausea persists beyond this timeframe or worsens, it's best to consult your doctor.

Yes, dehydration is a major contributor to nausea after surgery. The fasting before your procedure and fluid loss during and after can cause an electrolyte imbalance, which leads to feelings of sickness. Staying hydrated with small, frequent sips of fluid is key.

Yes, your doctor can prescribe antiemetic (anti-nausea) medications if over-the-counter or home remedies aren't effective. Some of these are given during your hospital stay, while others can be taken at home. Always follow your doctor's instructions for any prescribed medicine.

You should avoid foods that are fatty, fried, or have strong spices and odors, as these can irritate your stomach. Acidic drinks and caffeinated beverages can also make nausea worse. Stick to bland, low-fat options initially.

Yes, certain pain medications, especially opioids, are known to cause nausea. Taking them with food can help, but if the problem persists, your doctor may suggest an alternative or a different dosage. Managing pain effectively is also important, as severe pain can cause nausea on its own.

Ginger ale can help, but it's important to choose one made with real ginger and let it go flat before drinking. The fizziness and high sugar content of some sodas can actually make nausea worse. Ginger tea or candies are often a better option.

While some nausea is normal, you should call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if you can't keep down any fluids, show signs of severe dehydration, or if the nausea is getting progressively worse. Always follow the specific instructions given by your surgical team.