When you wake up after surgery, the last thing you want is to feel sick to your stomach or start vomiting. That’s PONV, postoperative nausea and vomiting—a common side effect of anesthesia and surgery. Also known as postoperative nausea and vomiting, it’s not just uncomfortable—it can delay recovery, increase hospital stays, and even cause serious complications like wound splitting or aspiration. About 30% of adults experience it after surgery, and for some groups—women, nonsmokers, people with a history of motion sickness, or those getting certain anesthetics—the risk jumps to over 70%.
PONV isn’t just about the drugs. It’s a mix of how your body reacts to surgery, the type of anesthesia used, and even your genetics. Antiemetics, medications designed to stop nausea and vomiting like ondansetron, dexamethasone, or aprepitant are often used, but they don’t work the same for everyone. Some patients still get sick because the triggers are complex: your inner ear, your brainstem, and your gut all send signals that get amplified after anesthesia. Anesthesia side effects, especially from volatile gases like sevoflurane or opioids like morphine are major contributors. Even something as simple as dehydration or fasting too long before surgery can make it worse.
What’s surprising is that simple, low-cost steps can cut PONV risk in half. Moving you out of bed sooner, using regional anesthesia instead of general when possible, avoiding certain painkillers, and giving preventive antiemetics before you wake up all help. It’s not just about treating nausea after it starts—it’s about stopping it before it begins. And for people who’ve had it before, knowing your risk factors lets you talk to your anesthesiologist ahead of time. You’re not just a patient—you’re someone who can help shape your own care.
Below, you’ll find real patient stories, clinical insights, and practical advice on what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to managing PONV. From drug combinations that actually reduce vomiting to non-drug strategies that hospitals are starting to use, this collection gives you the tools to ask the right questions and get better results.
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