Why Am I So Tired After Surgery? An Anesthesiologist Explains

Medically reviewed by a board-certified anesthesiologist

AQUA MD Mobile IV

Key Takeaways

• Feeling unusually tired after surgery is one of the most common parts of recovery and is usually caused by multiple factors rather than a single problem.
• The body's healing response, anesthesia, pain medications, disrupted sleep, dehydration, poor nutrition, and reduced activity can all contribute to postoperative fatigue.[1–4]
• Most patients gradually regain their energy over several days to weeks, although recovery varies depending on the type of surgery, your overall health, and any underlying medical conditions.[1]
• Severe or worsening fatigue accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, confusion, or persistent vomiting should prompt immediate medical evaluation.[2]
• Staying hydrated, eating adequate protein, walking as recommended, and following your surgeon's postoperative instructions can help support recovery. 
  
  

Table of Contents

1. Why Does Surgery Make You So Tired?
2. Your Body Is Using Energy to Heal
3. The Effects of Anesthesia
4. Pain Medications Can Slow You Down
5. Poor Sleep After Surgery
6. Blood Loss and Anemia
7. Dehydration
8. Not Eating Enough
9. Reduced Physical Activity
10. Infection
11. Emotional Stress
12. Sometimes It's More Than One Thing
13. When Should You Call Your Surgeon?
14. Can IV Hydration Help?
15. Frequently Asked Questions
16. References

1. Why Does Surgery Make You So Tired?

You expected your incision to hurt.

What many patients don't expect is the overwhelming exhaustion that often follows surgery. Even simple activities—walking to the bathroom, climbing stairs, or taking a shower—can suddenly feel surprisingly difficult.

As an anesthesiologist, one of the most common questions I hear after surgery is:

"Is it normal that I'm still this tired?"

For most patients, the answer is yes.

Fatigue is one of the most frequently reported symptoms after surgery and is usually multifactorial, meaning several different factors contribute at the same time rather than a single cause. Your body's inflammatory response, tissue healing, medications, sleep disruption, reduced activity, nutritional intake, and hydration status all play important roles in how quickly you recover.[1,2]

Understanding why you feel exhausted can reassure you that many symptoms are expected while also helping you recognize when fatigue may signal a complication that deserves medical attention.

2. Your Body Is Working Overtime to Heal

The most common reason people feel exhausted after surgery is also the most important.

Healing requires energy.

Every operation—even minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery—creates controlled tissue injury. In response, your immune system immediately begins repairing blood vessels, rebuilding damaged tissue, producing collagen, fighting potential infection, and coordinating hundreds of cellular processes required for healing.[1]

These repair processes substantially increase your body's metabolic demands. Rather than using energy for exercise, work, or daily activities, your body redirects nutrients and calories toward recovery. This is why many patients notice they need more sleep, tire more easily, and have less physical or mental stamina during the first several days or weeks after surgery.[2,3]

The larger the operation, the greater the physiologic stress. Patients recovering from major abdominal surgery, orthopedic joint replacement, or cancer surgery often experience fatigue for longer than someone recovering from a minor outpatient procedure.[3]

Physician Insight

One of the biggest mistakes I see is patients judging their recovery by how their incision looks. While the skin may appear to be healing well, the body is still repairing tissues internally. Healing doesn't stop once you leave the hospital—it continues for days to weeks after surgery.

3. Does Anesthesia Stay in Your Body? (Not Exactly)

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from patients is:

"I think the anesthesia is still in my system."

It's an understandable assumption, especially if you're still feeling exhausted several days after surgery. However, in most cases, the anesthetic medications themselves are not the primary reason you're still tired. Modern anesthetic drugs are designed to have a rapid onset and predictable recovery. Many are metabolized or eliminated within hours, allowing patients to wake up within minutes after surgery is complete.[4]

So why do you still feel exhausted?

The answer is that anesthesia is only one piece of a much larger recovery process.

General anesthesia temporarily changes how your brain processes consciousness, pain, and memory. While most patients regain consciousness quickly, your brain and body still need time to recover from the combined stress of surgery, inflammation, sleep disruption, medications, and healing.[5]

Immediately after surgery, it's common to experience:

• Drowsiness
• Slower thinking
• Mild difficulty concentrating
• Reduced reaction time
• Increased need for sleep
• Generalized fatigue

These symptoms usually improve steadily over the first few days. Older adults, patients with multiple medical conditions, or those undergoing lengthy or complex procedures may take longer to return to their baseline energy level.[6]

Physician Insight

Many patients blame everything on "the anesthesia." In reality, anesthesia is often the easiest part of the recovery. The larger contributor is the physiologic stress response caused by surgery itself. Your body has essentially completed a marathon while lying still on an operating table.

4. Pain Medications Can Slow Down Your Recovery

Pain itself is exhausting.

Unfortunately, many of the medications used to control postoperative pain can also contribute to fatigue.

Common medications include:

• Opioids (such as oxycodone or hydrocodone)
• Muscle relaxants
• Gabapentin or pregabalin
• Certain medications used for nausea

These medications work by affecting the central nervous system. While they help control pain and improve comfort, they may also cause:

• Sleepiness
• Mental fog
• Slower reaction times
• Reduced motivation
• Decreased physical activity
• Constipation, which can further reduce appetite and energy[7]

Good pain control remains essential because severe pain can delay recovery, increase stress hormones, interfere with sleep, and make it harder to breathe deeply or walk after surgery.[8]

The goal is not to eliminate all pain, but to strike a balance between adequate pain relief and minimizing medication side effects.

If you feel excessively sleepy, confused, or unable to participate in your recovery because of your medications, speak with your surgeon before changing or stopping them.

5. Poor Sleep Is More Common Than You Think

Many patients don't sleep well after surgery—even once they're home.

The reasons are easy to understand:

• Pain when changing positions
• Hospital noise and overnight vital sign checks
• Anxiety about the surgery or recovery
• Medication schedules
• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
• Reduced daytime activity disrupting your normal sleep-wake cycle

Research has shown that surgery itself can temporarily alter normal sleep architecture, reducing restorative sleep during the first several postoperative days.[9]

When sleep quality declines, fatigue often worsens.

Fortunately, this usually improves as pain decreases, activity increases, and your body settles back into its normal routine.

Physician Insight

Patients often worry because they wake up several times during the night after surgery. In most cases, this is expected. Your body is healing, you're moving differently, and your sleep schedule has been disrupted. As long as your pain is reasonably controlled and you're gradually improving, sleep typically becomes more restorative over the following days to weeks.

6. Blood Loss Can Lead to Temporary Anemia

Even operations with relatively small amounts of blood loss can contribute to postoperative fatigue.

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. When blood is lost during surgery, oxygen delivery to your muscles and organs may temporarily decrease until your body replaces those cells.[10]

Symptoms of postoperative anemia may include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath with activity
• Lightheadedness
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Heart palpitations

Most healthy patients gradually replace lost blood cells over time. However, recovery may take longer in patients with pre-existing iron deficiency, heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal disorders, or chronic medical conditions.[11]

If your fatigue seems unusually severe or continues for several weeks after surgery, your physician may recommend checking a complete blood count (CBC) or iron studies.

Related Reading: If you're interested in learning more about iron deficiency and recovery, read our guide on Iron Infusion in Kitsap County: What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment.

7. Dehydration Can Significantly Slow Recovery

Many patients go into surgery already slightly dehydrated without realizing it.

By the time your procedure is finished, several factors may have reduced your body's fluid balance even further, including:

• Fasting before surgery
• Blood loss
• Fluid shifts during the inflammatory response
• Sweating
• Vomiting or nausea
• Poor appetite
• Drinking less because getting out of bed is uncomfortable

Even mild dehydration can contribute to fatigue, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, constipation, muscle cramps, and reduced exercise tolerance.[12,13]

While your body is remarkably good at regulating fluid balance, recovery becomes more challenging when you're consistently drinking less than your body needs.

Signs you may be dehydrated after surgery include:

• Feeling thirsty
• Dark yellow urine
• Dry mouth or lips
• Lightheadedness when standing
• Headaches
• Fatigue that worsens with activity
• Decreased urination

For most patients, drinking water and other fluids regularly is enough to restore hydration. However, some patients struggle because of persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, or simply feeling too weak to drink adequate amounts.

Physician Insight

One of the most common things I see after surgery is patients unintentionally falling behind on hydration. They're trying to rest, they're not eating much, they're taking pain medications, and before long they've gone an entire day drinking very little. That mild dehydration can make them feel much worse than they otherwise would.

Related Reading

Learn more about hydration before and after surgery in our guide Preparing for Surgery: Why Hydration Matters Before and After Your Procedure.

You may also find our article IV Hydration vs. Drinking Water: What's the Difference? helpful for understanding when oral hydration is sufficient and when medical evaluation may be appropriate.

8. Your Body Needs More Nutrition Than You Think

It's common to lose your appetite after surgery.

Pain, nausea, constipation, medications, and changes in your routine often make eating the last thing on your mind.

Unfortunately, healing requires calories and protein.

Your body needs amino acids to rebuild muscle and connective tissue, produce enzymes, support immune function, and repair surgical wounds. If you're not eating enough, recovery may take longer and fatigue can become more noticeable.[14]

Focus on:

• Lean protein
• Eggs
• Greek yogurt
• Fish
• Beans and legumes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Plenty of fluids

If you've had gastrointestinal surgery or another procedure with dietary restrictions, always follow your surgeon's specific recommendations.

Physician Insight

Patients sometimes tell me they're "not eating because they're just lying around." In reality, your body may need more nutritional support after surgery—not less. Even though you're less physically active, your metabolism is working hard to heal.

9. You're Moving Less Than Usual

Think about your typical day before surgery.

You probably walked thousands of steps without giving it much thought.

After surgery?

Many patients spend most of the day sitting or lying down.

While rest is important, too much rest can actually prolong fatigue.

Reduced activity contributes to:

• Loss of muscle strength
• Reduced cardiovascular fitness
• Joint stiffness
• Poor circulation
• Lower energy levels

This is one reason surgeons often encourage patients to start walking as soon as it's safe after surgery.

Early mobilization has been shown to improve recovery, reduce postoperative complications, and help patients regain independence sooner.[15]

That doesn't mean running a marathon a week after surgery.

It means gradually increasing activity according to your surgeon's instructions.

Physician Insight

One of my favorite recovery goals isn't measured in miles—it's measured in consistency. Walking for five or ten minutes several times each day is often far more beneficial than trying to do too much at once and needing two days to recover.

10. Infection Can Cause Persistent Fatigue

While fatigue is expected after surgery, worsening fatigue rather than gradual improvement should raise concern.

One possible cause is infection.

As your immune system fights bacteria, inflammatory chemicals called cytokines increase throughout the body. These substances help combat infection but also contribute to fatigue, reduced appetite, muscle aches, and the desire to sleep more.[16]

Contact your surgeon promptly if fatigue is accompanied by:

• Fever
• Chills
• Increasing redness around the incision
• Swelling
• Pus or foul-smelling drainage
• Worsening pain
• Persistent vomiting

Fortunately, most postoperative infections are uncommon, and early recognition often leads to better outcomes.

11. Emotional Recovery Is Part of Physical Recovery

Surgery affects more than just the body.

Even when a procedure goes exactly as planned, many patients experience:

• Anxiety
• Mood changes
• Frustration
• Difficulty sleeping
• Emotional exhaustion

Major surgery is a significant life event.

Your normal routine is disrupted. You may need help with everyday tasks, miss work, or worry about pathology results or future treatments.

All of these factors can contribute to feeling mentally and physically drained.

Research has shown that psychological stress can influence recovery, sleep quality, pain perception, and overall wellbeing after surgery.[17]

Be patient with yourself.

Recovery isn't only about healing an incision—it's about allowing both your body and mind to recover from a major event.

Underlying Medical Conditions May Slow Recovery

Sometimes surgery simply uncovers health issues that were already present.

Conditions that may contribute to prolonged fatigue include:

• Iron deficiency
• Anemia
• Thyroid disorders
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Lung disease
• Sleep apnea
• Chronic kidney disease

If your fatigue is severe, persists for several weeks, or seems out of proportion to your surgery, your physician may recommend additional evaluation rather than assuming it's "just normal recovery."[18]

Related Reading

If fatigue continues despite a normal hemoglobin level, read Iron Deficiency Without Anemia: Why You Can Feel Exhausted Even With a Normal Hemoglobin.

12. Usually, It's Not Just One Thing

Perhaps the most important point in this entire article is this:

Postoperative fatigue is rarely caused by a single factor.

A typical patient might have:

• Mild dehydration
• Poor sleep
• Reduced activity
• Pain medications
• Blood loss
• Decreased appetite
• Surgical inflammation

None of these alone may explain why you feel exhausted.

Together, they absolutely can.

The encouraging news is that as each factor gradually improves, most patients notice steady improvements in their energy level.

Rather than expecting to feel "back to normal" overnight, focus on small daily improvements. Recovery isn't always linear—some days will feel better than others—but most patients gradually regain strength and stamina with time.

13. When Should You Call Your Surgeon About Fatigue?

Feeling tired after surgery is common. What matters most is the overall direction of your recovery.

You should generally expect your energy, appetite, mobility, and ability to perform normal activities to gradually improve. Recovery is rarely perfectly linear—you may have a good day followed by a more tiring one—but a persistent decline or the development of new symptoms deserves attention.[19,20]

Contact your surgeon or healthcare team if your fatigue is becoming significantly worse rather than better, particularly if you also develop:

• Fever or chills
• Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage around your incision
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty keeping fluids down
• Increasing rather than improving pain
• New or worsening weakness
• Significant dizziness or fainting
• Unusually rapid heartbeat
• New confusion or difficulty staying awake
• Signs of significant bleeding

Fever, increasing pain or redness around an incision, and cloudy or abnormal wound drainage can be signs of a surgical-site infection and should be reported promptly.[21]

Some postoperative symptoms require emergency evaluation rather than waiting for a routine call back from your surgeon.

Seek emergency medical attention for symptoms such as:

• New or severe shortness of breath
• Chest pain, particularly pain that worsens with breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Fainting or severe lightheadedness
• Sudden confusion or difficulty awakening
• New one-sided weakness or other stroke-like symptoms
• Significant uncontrolled bleeding

Surgery and periods of reduced mobility can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. A blood clot in the leg may cause new swelling, warmth, tenderness, or discoloration, while a pulmonary embolism can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or an unusually rapid heartbeat.[22]

Physician Insight

Postoperative fatigue itself usually isn't the concerning part. What gets my attention is fatigue that is worsening instead of improving or fatigue accompanied by another new symptom.

If something about your recovery feels substantially different from what your surgeon told you to expect, it's reasonable to contact your surgical team. They know the details of your operation and are usually the best first resource for procedure-specific concerns.

14. Can IV Hydration Help After Surgery?

Sometimes—but it depends on why you're feeling poorly.

IV fluids are not a treatment for postoperative fatigue itself, and feeling tired after surgery does not automatically mean you're dehydrated.

However, dehydration or volume depletion can contribute to feeling weak, lightheaded, or generally unwell after surgery, particularly when you've had difficulty maintaining adequate oral intake.[23,24]

There are several reasons patients may fall behind on fluids after an operation:

• Preoperative fasting
• Postoperative nausea or vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Pain with swallowing
• Gastrointestinal fluid losses
• Difficulty getting up frequently to drink
• Simply sleeping much more than usual

For patients who are able to drink adequately, oral hydration is generally preferred. Clinical fluid-management guidance recommends using IV fluids when a patient's fluid and electrolyte needs cannot adequately be met through oral or enteral intake and discontinuing IV therapy once it is no longer necessary.[23]

When IV fluids are indicated, the type and amount should be individualized rather than automatically giving everyone the same volume. Fluid status, medical history, medications, blood pressure, heart rate, urine output, ongoing losses, kidney function, and risk of fluid overload may all influence the decision.[23,24]

That distinction is important because more fluid is not always better.

Patients with certain heart, kidney, or liver conditions may be particularly susceptible to complications from excessive fluid administration. Appropriate assessment matters.[23]

When might postoperative IV hydration be reasonable?

After appropriate medical evaluation, IV hydration may be considered when a postoperative patient has difficulty maintaining adequate oral hydration because of circumstances such as persistent nausea, vomiting, reduced oral intake, or clinically meaningful fluid losses.[23,24]

It should not be used to mask symptoms that could represent a postoperative complication.

For example, someone experiencing severe abdominal pain, significant bleeding, shortness of breath, high fever, confusion, or other concerning symptoms needs appropriate medical evaluation—not simply an IV bag at home.

Physician Insight

The goal isn't to give every surgical patient IV fluids.

The goal is to identify why someone isn't recovering as expected.

Sometimes hydration is part of the answer. Sometimes the patient simply needs more sleep, nutrition, mobility, or time. And sometimes fatigue is a clue that something such as anemia, infection, medication effects, or another postoperative problem needs to be evaluated.

That distinction is especially important in postoperative medicine.

15. Frequently Asked Questions About Fatigue After Surgery

Is it normal to feel extremely tired after surgery?

Yes. Fatigue is a recognized component of postoperative recovery and can result from the combined effects of surgical stress, inflammation, sleep disruption, medications, reduced activity, nutritional changes, blood loss, and other factors.[1–3]

The important consideration is whether you're gradually improving.

How long does fatigue last after surgery?

There isn't one universal timeline.

Fatigue after a minor outpatient procedure may improve within several days, while fatigue after major abdominal, orthopedic, cancer, or other extensive surgery can persist for weeks.[1–3]

Recovery is influenced by the magnitude of surgery, age, baseline health, nutrition, preoperative fitness, anemia, complications, sleep, pain, and postoperative activity.[2,3,19]

Does anesthesia make you tired for days?

It can contribute to early drowsiness and impaired concentration, but persistent fatigue several days or weeks later should not automatically be blamed on anesthetic medication still being in your body.

Postoperative fatigue is better understood as the result of the entire perioperative experience—including surgery itself, inflammation, sleep disruption, medications, reduced activity, nutrition, and other individual factors.[1–3]

Why am I sleeping so much after surgery?

Your body is recovering from a significant physiologic stressor, and increased sleep can occur during early recovery.

Pain medications, poor-quality nighttime sleep, decreased activity, inflammation, and the body's increased metabolic demands during healing can all contribute.[1–3]

Excessive sleepiness becomes more concerning if you are unusually difficult to awaken, confused, having trouble breathing, or becoming progressively less alert. Those symptoms require prompt medical assessment.

Can dehydration make fatigue after surgery worse?

Yes. Inadequate fluid intake or excessive fluid losses can contribute to weakness, dizziness, reduced urine output, and other symptoms that may compound postoperative fatigue.[23,24]

However, fatigue alone does not prove that someone is dehydrated.

Fluid status should be considered together with symptoms, medical history, intake and output, vital signs, physical examination, and sometimes laboratory testing.[23]

Should I force myself to exercise when I'm exhausted?

No—but prolonged bed rest generally isn't ideal either.

Enhanced-recovery pathways emphasize early, progressive mobilization after surgery when medically appropriate.[2,4]

Follow your surgeon's activity restrictions and gradually increase movement rather than attempting to immediately return to your preoperative exercise routine.

Even short, frequent walks may be a reasonable starting point for many patients when permitted by their surgeon.

Could anemia or low iron be making me tired?

Yes.

Blood loss associated with surgery can contribute to postoperative anemia, and iron deficiency may also be present before or after an operation. Both can contribute to fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance.[10,11,25]

If fatigue is significant or persists longer than expected, your healthcare provider may consider a complete blood count and, when appropriate, iron studies.

What should I eat when I'm recovering from surgery?

Your nutritional needs depend on your procedure and medical history, so procedure-specific instructions from your surgeon take priority.

In general, adequate calories and protein are important for preserving lean body mass and supporting wound healing and recovery. Modern surgical nutrition guidelines also favor resuming appropriate oral nutrition relatively early when the procedure allows it.[26]

Patients recovering from gastrointestinal or other surgeries with dietary restrictions should follow their surgical team's specific recommendations.

Is IV hydration better than drinking water after surgery?

Not routinely.

If you're able to drink and maintain adequate hydration, oral fluids are generally the preferred approach.[23]

IV fluids become useful when fluid requirements cannot adequately be met orally or enterally, or when medical circumstances require more rapid or controlled fluid replacement.[23,24]

IV hydration should therefore be based on clinical need rather than simply the fact that someone recently had surgery.

When should I worry that my fatigue isn't normal?

Contact your healthcare team if fatigue is severe, progressively worsening, lasting substantially longer than expected for your procedure, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Seek urgent or emergency evaluation for symptoms such as chest pain, significant shortness of breath, fainting, confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, or symptoms suggestive of a blood clot.[21,22]

Final Thoughts

Feeling exhausted after surgery can be frustrating—especially when the operation itself is already behind you and you're ready to return to normal life.

But surgery doesn't end when you leave the operating room.

Your body continues repairing tissue, restoring normal sleep and activity patterns, rebuilding strength, and recovering from the physiologic stress of the procedure.

Postoperative fatigue is therefore usually not caused by one single factor. It's often the combined effect of healing, medications, poor sleep, reduced activity, nutrition, hydration status, blood loss, and the emotional demands of recovery.[1–4]

Most importantly, look for progress rather than perfection.

You may have days when you feel significantly better followed by days when you need more rest. That's not necessarily a setback. What matters is that your overall recovery is moving in the right direction.

Hydrate appropriately. Prioritize nutrition. Walk as recommended by your surgical team. Take your medications as directed. Give yourself adequate time to sleep and recover.

And if your fatigue is worsening rather than improving—or something simply doesn't feel right—contact your surgeon.

Sometimes the most important part of recovering well is recognizing when you need a little more help.

References

[1] Renette W, Mesotten D, Meex I, Stragier H, Rex S, Thiessen S. The role of perioperatively acquired muscle weakness in postoperative fatigue: a narrative review. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2026;43(2):119-129.

[2] Zargar-Shoshtari K, Hill AG. Postoperative fatigue: a review. World J Surg. 2009;33(4):738-745.

[3] Rubin GJ, Hardy R, Hotopf M. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence and severity of postoperative fatigue. J Psychosom Res. 2004;57(4):317-326.

[4] Rubin GJ, Hotopf M. Systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions for postoperative fatigue. Br J Surg. 2002;89(8):971-984.

[5] Ljungqvist O, Scott M, Fearon KC. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: a review. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(3):292-298.

[6] Ljungqvist O, de Boer HD, Balfour A, et al. Opportunities and challenges for the next phase of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: a review. JAMA Surg. 2021;156(8):775-784.

[7] Sauro KM, Smith C, Ibadin S, et al. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guidelines and hospital length of stay, readmission, complications, and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7.

[8] Bisgaard T, Klarskov B, Rosenberg J, Kehlet H. Factors determining convalescence after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Arch Surg. 2001;136(8):917-921.

[9] Chou R, Gordon DB, de Leon-Casasola OA, et al. Management of postoperative pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American Pain Society, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and American Society of Anesthesiologists' Committee on Regional Anesthesia. J Pain. 2016;17(2):131-157.

[10] Gan TJ, Belani KG, Bergese S, et al. Fourth consensus guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anesth Analg. 2020;131(2):411-448.

[11] Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M. The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease. Physiol Rev. 2019;99(3):1325-1380.

[12] Muñoz M, Acheson AG, Auerbach M, et al. International consensus statement on the peri-operative management of anaemia and iron deficiency. Anaesthesia. 2017;72(2):233-247.

[13] Muñoz M, Acheson AG, Bisbe E, et al. An international consensus statement on the management of postoperative anaemia after major surgical procedures. Anaesthesia. 2018;73(11):1418-1431.

[14] Shander A, Corwin HL, Meier J, et al. Recommendations from the International Consensus Conference on Anemia Management in Surgical Patients (ICCAMS). Ann Surg. 2023;277(4):581-590.

[15] Muñoz M, Gómez-Ramírez S, Kozek-Langeneker S, et al. “Fit to fly”: overcoming barriers to preoperative haemoglobin optimization in surgical patients. Br J Anaesth. 2015;115(1):15-24.

[16] Weimann A, Braga M, Carli F, et al. ESPEN practical guideline: clinical nutrition in surgery. Clin Nutr. 2021;40(7):4745-4761.

[17] Wischmeyer PE, Carli F, Evans DC, et al. American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative joint consensus statement on nutrition screening and therapy within a surgical enhanced recovery pathway. Anesth Analg. 2018;126(6):1883-1895.

[18] Mythen MG, Swart M, Acheson N, et al. Perioperative fluid management: consensus statement from the Enhanced Recovery Partnership. Perioper Med (Lond). 2012;1:2.

[19] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospital. Clinical Guideline CG174. London: NICE; 2013. Updated 2017.

[20] Stark PA, Myles PS, Burke JA. Development and psychometric evaluation of a postoperative quality of recovery score: the QoR-15. Anesthesiology. 2013;118(6):1332-1340.

[21] Gornall BF, Myles PS, Smith CL, et al. Measurement of quality of recovery using the QoR-40: a quantitative systematic review. Br J Anaesth. 2013;111(2):161-169.

[22] Allvin R, Berg K, Idvall E, Nilsson U. Postoperative recovery: a concept analysis. J Adv Nurs. 2007;57(5):552-558.

[23] Powell R, Scott NW, Manyande A, et al. Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(5):CD008646.

[24] Abola RE, Bennett-Guerrero E, Kent ML, et al. American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative joint consensus statement on patient-reported outcomes in an enhanced recovery pathway. Anesth Analg. 2018;126(6):1874-1882.

[25] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surgical Site Infection Basics. Atlanta, GA: CDC.

[26] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding Your Risk for Healthcare-Associated Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots). Atlanta, GA: CDC.

Physician-Directed Surgical Hydration at Home

For appropriately selected patients preparing for or recovering from elective procedures, AQUA MD offers physician-directed mobile IV hydration and supportive care in the comfort of your home.

AQUA MD Surgical Hydration & Recovery Program is designed to complement—not replace—the care and postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon and anesthesia team.

Every patient is medically screened before treatment. If symptoms suggest that evaluation by your surgeon, urgent care, or an emergency department would be more appropriate than mobile IV therapy, we will recommend the appropriate level of care.

Learn more: Surgical Hydration & Recovery Program

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow the postoperative instructions provided by your surgical team. If you develop severe or concerning symptoms after surgery, seek appropriate medical care.