Question:
Anesthesia always makes me nauseous after surgery--any advice?

Whenever I've had surgery in the past, I've woke up w/dry (or sometimes not-so-dry) heaves. It feels awful and my stomach cramps terribly. Naturally, I'm afraid the same thing will happen after my lap RNY & I'll end up blowing out a staple or two or worse! Has anyone else had experience with this? I plan to discuss it with my surgeon, but I wanted to be armed with feedback. Any advice?    — Laurie A. (posted on August 19, 2002)

August 19, 2002
The person to talk to is the anethesiologist. I always tell them that "Your very important to me and please give me everything you have so I'm not nauseated" They do have drugs for that. Since I specifically tell them that I haven't had any trouble and even not after the RNY. Good Luck!
   — ZZ S.

August 19, 2002
That used to happen to me too. However, the past 3 surgeries I have had, I have made it very clear to the anesthesiologist what happens to me after I wake up from anesthesia and they have ensured that that no longer happens! The anesthesiologist will talk to you the morning of surgery before they take you into the operating room and you can discuss it with them then.
   — Cindy R.

August 19, 2002

   — Amber L.

August 19, 2002
I spoke with my doctor as well as my anesthesiologist minutes before surgery. I made sure to tell them my past experience with shaking uncontrollably and vomiting after any and all surgeries. That alone was enough to make me scared to death to go thru with the surgery. My doctor assured me that they would adjust my medicine so I would have none of that. To my suprise when I woke up, I was in my bed in my room (had NO memory of the recovery room) and other than some minor pain and a terrible taste in my mouth I was fine. After having 13 surgeries previously in my 29 yrs of life ALL having shaking and vomiting post op....THEY HAD DONE IT!! Express all your concerns pre op, you will be in good hands. I am now 7 weeks post op, down 46lbs, and would do it all over in a heartbeat!! Good Luck to you!! Hang in there!! The WORST part of this surgery is WAITING FOR THE SURGERY!!! Tonya
   — Tonya H.

August 19, 2002
I hate general anesthesia. I puke my guts out and get hives afterward. I was especially scared about the puking after WLS... you know with the pouch healing and all that. So I was very worried. I expressed my fears concerning this with WLS as I was afraid it would wreck my pouch. Anyway, they did something and I NEVER puked once! Well not until the next morning (about 24 hours after surgery). I woke up and needed to get sick and nothing came up. After about 5 minutes of fighting it I called the nurse. She came and gave me a shot and it almost immediately stopped. So be honest with them. There are things they can do, and I'm sure they would want to know BEFORE surgery whatever problems and concerns you have. ;)
   — Danmark

August 19, 2002
aSK DOC TO RX COMPAZINE SUPPOSITORY OR LIQUID DOSE ONE HALF HOUR BEFORE SURGERY. WORKED LIKE A CHARM FOR ME. GOOD LUCK
   — michelle R.

August 19, 2002
Nausea after surgery is not unusual. There are medicines that they can give you DURING your surgery to make it stop, or at least much better. Make sure that you discuss this with the anesthesiologist when you go in.
   — Vicki L.