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Is Vomiting After Rhinoplasty Common?

asked 1 year ago by cupcakexx
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,341 times
Tags: anesthesia, recovery, vomiting

I have a huge fear of vomiting and I've heard that some people are sick during recovery from rhinoplasty because of the anesthesia or from swallowing blood. How common is this and can it be prevented?

14 answers to Is Vomiting After Rhinoplasty Common?

Vomiting after rhinoplasty is rare

Nausea and vomiting after rhinoplasty occurs 10% of the time. Just remember it is only temporary. If it happens, it passes within the first day due to either swelling, blood down the back of the nose, anesthesia, or any narcotic administration. It is self-limiting and in no way a reflection on the quality of the rhinoplasty. There are several medications that can help prevent it, but nothing is 100% guaranteed. The medications include a scopolamine patch, Zofran, Decadron, and propanol.... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Mostly preventable but still can occur

Nausea and vomiting after rhinoplasty can occur from either a response to an anesthetic or blood dripping into the stomach. I have devised a method to prevent blood going into the stomach, and although my anesthesiologist gives many medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting, it still can occur with a rate in my practice of about 5 percent despite all anti-nausea medications given.

Sam Rizk, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Vomiting after Rhinoplasty

Vomiting after rhinoplasty can be caused by the anesthetic medication selected during the operation, bleeding after surgery, and the post-operative pain medication. While vomiting can occur, it is unusual in our practice because during surgery our anesthesia team prophylactically gives the patient medication to minimize or prevent post-operative nausea or vomiting.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Vomiting after Rhinoplasty

As you suggest, anesthesia and blood in the stomach are the most common causes of vomiting. Personally, I believe that twilight anesthesia reduces nausea after surgery. Intravenous medications and anti-vomiting pills can also be given to help reduce the likelihood of nausea after surgery. One thing you can do is ask family members how they reacted to general anesthesia. If your parents and/or siblings did not have severe nausea after anesthesia, then it is likely you will not... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and vomiting

There are so many variables that can cause vomiting after surgery. All I know is that the experience in my out patient facility in my office is quite good. Vomiting is almost non-existent. Our anesthesiologists work very carefully to minimize the risk and we give medications post-op to take home to decrease the risk of vomiting.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Nausea and vomiting is uncommon after rhinoplasty these days.

While everyone responds to anesthetics differently, modern anesthesia is associated with a MUCH lower incidence of post-op nausea and vomiting than in even the recent past. As for the contribution of swallowed blood, we usually minimize this by minimizing bleeding during surgery, suctioning out any blood from the throat at the end of the case, and encouraging patients post-operatively to drink plenty of fluids (i.e., "the solution to pollution is dilution!") All the best,... more

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nausea after rhinoplasty

Nausea and vomiting after rhinoplasty can occur due to even a small amount of blood irritating the stomach. This can sometimes be prevented with the placement of something called a throat pack. Once you are asleep and under general anesthesia, a long string of guaze is placed in the throat to catch any of the blood coming down from the nose. Once the procedure is complete, the guaze is removed. This can only be done if your rhinoplasty is under general anesthesia and... more

Etai Funk, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.funkfacialplastics.com

Vomiting after surgery

In the past, nausea after surgery was common. However, there are several medications now that are very effective in treating post operative nausea and vomiting. If you discuss your concerns with your doctor and your anesthesiologist they will be able to help you have a comfortable post operative recovery. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Vomiting after rhinoplasty

After having Rhinoplasty surgery, you can experience nausea/vomiting. There's three main causes. The first can be from the anesthesia, which can last up to a few hours post operation. Also, the vomiting can be related to swallowing blood or the pain medicine you're prescribed. We would prescribe anti-nausea(Zofran), the drug currently available for preventing nausea or vomiting, that is taken the day of surgery. Your plastic Surgeon will discuss any options with you during your... more

Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Nausea and vomitting after rhinoplasty (nose job)

There are numerous methods to minimize nausea and vomitting after surgery and you should discuss your fears with your surgeon. However, this is not always entirely avoidable despite the best of techniques. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Nauseusness may occur after Rhinoplasty Surgery in approximately 30% of patients.

You may experience nauseusness and vomiting after Rhinoplasty Surgery despite anti-emetic medications to prevent this. It's mostly from blood that makes its way down into your stomach during your surgery. Even a small amount of blood in the stomach is nauseating for patients, and I have found this difficult to avoid in approximately 30% of my patients. Suctioning the contents of your stomach at the end of your Rhinoplasty with a Salem-sump tube may be beneficial. I hope this is... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Nausea after Cosmetic Surgery can largely be Prevented

Several factors increase the likelihood of nausea and vomiting after Cosmetic Surgery. The use of certain inhalation gases (such as Nitrous oxide), the use of certain medication (virtually all opiate based medications to reduce pain or anxiety such as Morphine, Codeine etc) and the swallowing of blood (as in operation on the nose). Post-surgery retching and vomiting are to be avoided because they are very uncomfortable and can lead to post-operative swelling, stitch break up (as in Tummy... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Vomiting after rhinoplasty

This is usually caused by general anesthesia. A good anesthesiologist can give you medicine to help prevent this. It is uncommon to have significant vomiting after cosmetic surgery, but it can happen.

Elan B. Singer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It's rare but it happens

No matter what any of us say, you can't totally prevent vomiting. That should be the least of your concerns. The qualifications and ability of the surgeon should be the most important.