Recovering from anesthesia involves a series of carefully timed steps, including the reintroduction of food and drink. Anesthesia, whether general, regional, or local, affects the body in various ways—in particular, the digestive system. Understanding how and when to resume eating and drinking following anesthesia is crucial for ensuring a smooth recovery and minimizing complications.
Anesthesia works by temporarily relaxing the muscles of the body, including those involved in digestion. General anesthesia, which affects the entire body, can suppress the gag reflex and slow gastric motility. This means that the stomach and intestines may not function normally for a while, which increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, or even aspiration if food or liquid is consumed too soon. Opioid pain medications often used after surgery can further delay the return of normal digestive function by slowing bowel movements and causing constipation.
In contrast, regional and local anesthesia have less impact on digestion since they primarily numb specific areas of the body. This can allow for a quicker resumption of eating and drinking. However, the type of surgery performed and the patient’s individual condition are important factors in determining the right time to resume oral intake 1,2.
Following general anesthesia, patients are usually advised to start with small sips of clear liquids like water, herbal tea, or broth once they are fully awake and alert. Clear liquids are easy to digest and less likely to cause nausea. If these liquids are well tolerated, patients can progress to light, bland foods such as crackers, toast, or applesauce.
For patients who have undergone regional or local anesthesia, eating and drinking may be resumed sooner since these types of anesthesia typically have minimal effects on the digestive system. However, it is still important to follow any specific dietary restrictions related to the surgical procedure. For instance, surgeries involving the gastrointestinal tract or throat may require a more cautious approach to reintroducing food 3,4.
For pediatric patients, clear liquids may be reintroduced shortly after regaining full consciousness, usually under medical supervision, with an emphasis on avoiding rich or heavy foods initially to reduce the risk of nausea 5,6.
Hydration remains a top priority following anesthesia. Patients should aim to drink small amounts of water frequently throughout the day. This helps to rehydrate the body after fluid loss during surgery and aids in digestion.
Recognizing signs of intolerance, such as nausea, vomiting, or bloating, is critical. If these symptoms occur, patients should return to clear liquids and consult their healthcare provider for further guidance 7,8. Patients may also experience a sore throat after intubation, making swallowing uncomfortable, but cool or room-temperature fluids and soft foods can help soothe this discomfort. Furthermore, anesthesia and pain medications can slow bowel function, which can be managed by incorporating a high-fiber diet and ensuring adequate hydration to help restore normal bowel movements 9,10.
References
1. Renard, D., Clavier, T., Gourcerol, G. & Desprez, C. Impact of anesthesia drugs on digestive motility measurements in humans: A systematic review. Neurogastroenterol Motil 36, e14855 (2024). DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14855
2. Ogilvy, A. J. & Smith, G. The gastrointestinal tract after anaesthesia. Eur J Anaesthesiol Suppl 10, 35–42 (1995).
3. Dai, S., Chen, L., Wu, M., Guo, L. & Wang, R. Timing of early water intake post-general anaesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Anesthesiol 24, 135 (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12871-024-02520-x
4. Yin, X., Ye, L., Zhao, L., Li, L. & Song, J. Early versus delayed postoperative oral hydration after general anesthesia: a prospective randomized trial. Int J Clin Exp Med 7, 3491–3496 (2014). DOI: 10.1186/s12871-020-01086-8
5. Philadelphia, T. C. H. of. Your Child’s Recovery After Surgery | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. https://www.chop.edu/patients-and-visitors/guide-your-childs-surgery/your-childs-recovery-after-surgery.
6. Toms, A. S. & Rai, E. Operative fasting guidelines and postoperative feeding in paediatric anaesthesia-current concepts. Indian J Anaesth 63, 707–712 (2019). DOI: 10.4103/ija.IJA_484_19
7. General anaesthetic. nhs.uk https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/general-anaesthesia/ (2017).
8. Dietitians – Eating and drinking after surgery :: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. https://elht.nhs.uk/patients/your-enhanced-recovery-programme/surgery-school/what-expect-whilst-hospital/dietitians-eating-and-drinking-after-surgery.
9. Nausea and Vomiting After Surgery: Care Instructions. https://myhealth.alberta.ca:443/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abq1701.
10. After Surgery: Discomforts and Complications | Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/after-surgery-discomforts-and-complications.