PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Health & medical scares recent abdominal surgery • post op bloating • vomiting after surgery • nausea and vomiting post op • swollen abdomen after surgery • abdominal distension and vomiting • can’t keep liquids down • not passing gas after surgery • no bowel movement after surgery • severe belly bloating after surgery • possible bowel obstruction symptoms • ileus after surgery • postoperative complication warning signs • sudden vomiting days after surgery • throwing up after abdominal operation • bloating plus vomiting • worsening abdominal pain after surgery • dehydration from vomiting • what if my stomach is swollen post op

What to do if…
you had recent abdominal surgery and new bloating with vomiting begins

Short answer

This can signal a serious post-op complication. Call your surgeon’s on-call line now and get urgent evaluation—go to the ER if you can’t reach them promptly or symptoms are worsening.

Do not do these things

  • Do not keep eating, and do not force drinks if you’re vomiting.
  • Do not take extra opioid pain medicine “to get through it” (it can worsen constipation and mask worsening symptoms).
  • Do not take anti-nausea meds in higher-than-prescribed doses to avoid being seen.
  • Do not drive yourself to the ER if you feel weak, dizzy, faint, drowsy, or are actively vomiting.

What to do now

  1. Stop eating now. Avoid drinking large amounts. If your mouth is dry, take tiny sips just to moisten your mouth and stop if vomiting continues.
  2. Call your surgeon’s on-call number immediately (often on your discharge papers or patient portal). Start with:
    “Recent abdominal surgery; new abdominal bloating/distension and vomiting.”
  3. If you cannot reach a clinician promptly, go to the ER now. Post-op vomiting with new distension commonly needs urgent assessment.
  4. Call 911 now if any of these are present:
    • severe or worsening abdominal pain, a hard/tender abdomen, or you can’t stand up straight from pain
    • worsening distension plus you can’t pass gas or stool
    • repeated vomiting, especially green (bilious) vomiting
    • fever with feeling very unwell, confusion, fainting, or severe weakness
    • trouble breathing or chest pain
    • vomiting blood / black “coffee-ground” material, or black tarry stool
    • you cannot keep down even tiny sips, or you’re urinating very little (possible significant dehydration)
  5. Bring the essentials to the ER (or have them ready for EMS):
    • your discharge summary/operative report if you have it
    • a list (or photos) of all medications taken since discharge (including opioids, stool softeners/laxatives, anti-nausea meds)
    • allergies, surgeon/hospital name, and emergency contact
    • if you have a stoma, note any major changes in output
  6. Write down key details to report quickly: when symptoms started, vomiting frequency, whether you can keep anything down, last bowel movement, last time you passed gas, and whether the pain/distension is getting worse.

What can wait

  • You do not need to figure out whether this is “normal,” an ileus, a blockage, or a medication effect—let clinicians assess.
  • You do not need to decide about diet changes, laxatives, or home remedies right now.
  • You do not need to decide who to call for paperwork, insurance, or follow-up details until you’re medically assessed.

Important reassurance

It makes sense to feel alarmed—after abdominal surgery, new distension with vomiting is a pattern clinicians want assessed quickly. Going in urgently is the safer choice, even if it turns out to be treatable and not severe.

Scope note

These are first steps only. The right treatment depends on your surgery type and exam/tests. The priority is getting assessed quickly and safely.

Important note

This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If symptoms are worsening, you can’t keep fluids down, or you can’t reach your surgical team promptly, seek emergency care.

Additional Resources
Support us