If you’re someone who gets sick after anesthesia, you know just how frustrating it can be to wake up from surgery nauseous and vomiting—especially when all you want to do is get discharged and head home for your recovery. When we created ClearFast, our number-one goal was to formulate a product that would make for safer, less stressful surgeries for patients around the world—and reducing post-op nausea and vomiting was a huge part of that goal. Today, then, we’re breaking down all you need to know about this common phenomenon and how to avoid getting sick after anesthesia the next time you go under the knife. We’ll cover:
- How common it is to get sick after anesthesia
- What causes contribute to getting sick after anesthesia, including the role fasting-from-midnight plays in making you sick
- How to reduce your risk of getting sick after anesthesia
- How to use the ClearFast Preop Drink to drastically reduce your chances of getting sick after anesthesia
Now, let’s dig in…
Is it common to get sick after anesthesia?
Unfortunately, getting sick after anesthesia is extremely common. In fact, according to an article published in Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, one in three patients suffer from post-op nausea and vomiting (or PONV).
What causes me to get sick after anesthesia?
The key causes of PONV are two-fold: First, prolonged fasting (from the old-school instruction to “fast from midnight”) causes an unnecessary build-up of stomach acid. These stomach acids are one major cause of PONV. Second, the anesthesia drugs themselves—taken on an empty stomach—cause patients to get sick upon waking. Most of us can’t even take an ibuprofen on an empty stomach without getting nauseous, so imagine what taking heavy anesthesia drugs does to your system after you haven’t had anything to eat or drink since midnight! Basically, you’re pumping your body full of powerful drugs with nothing but stomach acid in your stomach—it’s a clear recipe for vomiting and nausea upon waking from surgery….and an extended hospital stay, which no one wants!
How do I reduce my risk of getting sick after anesthesia?
We recommend asking your doctor about replacing the old-school fasting-from-midnight method with a good fluid fast instead (you can read more about why fasting-from-midnight is outdated and unnecessary here). This will ensure your stomach isn’t empty—and isn’t producing all of those nasty stomach acids that make you sick—when you’re administered the anesthesia. But not just any fluid will do—research shows that you need something rich in complex carbs that will act as a liquid food. But, in order to be safe for surgery, the liquid also needs to be clear and colorless and free of simple sugars (sorry, sports drinks!).
Enter: ClearFast Preop Drink! ClearFast is the only preop drink of its kind that’s safe for surgery, free of simple sugars, and is specifically formulated to reduce your risk of getting sick after anesthesia. Plus, ClearFast is gluten-free, contains all natural ingredients, is free of harmful colored dyes and preservatives, and is chock-full of a number of other ingredients that can are beneficial to your surgery experience, including:
- Electrolytes (for optimal hydration)
- Zinc and L-Citrulline (properties that help heal)
- Vitamin A (supports health and tissue function)
- Selenium (a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to healthy immune function)
Does the ClearFast Preop Drink work for patients who usually get sick after anesthesia, and how do I take it?
Absolutely! ClearFast has received a number of rave reviews from patients who normally get sick after anesthesia who report that, after taking ClearFast, they didn’t experience the post-op nausea and vomiting they normally do. In fact, L.C. said, “[ClearFast PreOp] really made the difference in my recovery. I felt alert and didn’t have nausea when I awoke from surgery. My friends were so impressed by my process, that 2 of them immediately scheduled their procedures after mine. Their results were just as amazing.”
If your doctor says it’s OK to take ClearFast before your surgery, you can check out our post on how to use ClearFast here, or even use our ClearFast calculator to determine when and how to take ClearFast before your surgery. (PRO TIP: We recommend chilling ClearFast overnight to make it even tastier!)
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Overall, if you’re tired of getting sick after anesthesia and are looking for a smart, simple, science-based solution for an easier recovery and quicker hospital discharge, ClearFast is your new best friend! You can order your ClearFast Presurgery Drink here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!