Appendectomies are no fun.

[gus6464]

I had surgery yesterday morning after having abdominal pain for 24 hours the day prior and I must say it is the most painful thing I have ever encountered. The pre-op pain was nowhere near as bad as the post-op pain. Has anyone had an appendectomy before because I am wondering how long it's going to take me to recover.

 

[j_garcia]

My girlfriend has. I'll ask her, but I'd expect the typical cycle of about 4-6 weeks. Glad to hear that you are OK!! When I broke my femur (car accident), it was 3 months out of commission and then another 2 re-learning how to walk. Note to self: Don't break other femur.

 

[cutter]

FINALLY something on this website that I know something about!!!

Appy's ARE fun, but only if you're the surgeon doing them! Anyway, if you had your surgery done laparoscopically (3 little incisions)-- you should be feeling much better within 48 hours of surgery. Most patients say that their pain is different post-operatively, but usually better than the pain when they came into the hospital.
If you had an open procedure (incision 3" or so, on lower R abdomen), then your pain may be a bit worse, but still shouldn't be worse than what you had pre-op.

the speed of your recovery can also be related to whether your appendix was perforated (ruptured) at the time of surgery. If you had perforated appendicitis, you are at increased risk for abcess formation (puss pockets) and wound infections.
If you are having fevers over 101.5F, increasing pain, nausea and vomiting, or any redness around your incision, you should call your surgeon immediately. Otherwise, hang in there, take your pain meds (and stool softeners!), and things will get better. Ice packs do wonders in the first 72 hours to help control pain.

You should be back to normal within 2 weeks-- but much is dependent on which surgery you had, and how severe your appendicitis was.

Now, can I have your insurance information, so I can bill them for a consult? hehehe. kidding. Good luck, hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[gus6464]

Appy's ARE fun, but only if you're the surgeon doing them! Anyway, if you had your surgery done laparoscopically (3 little incisions)-- you should be feeling much better within 48 hours of surgery. Most patients say that their pain is different post-operatively, but usually better than the pain when they came into the hospital.
If you had an open procedure (incision 3" or so, on lower R abdomen), then your pain may be a bit worse, but still shouldn't be worse than what you had pre-op.

the speed of your recovery can also be related to whether your appendix was perforated (ruptured) at the time of surgery. If you had perforated appendicitis, you are at increased risk for abcess formation (puss pockets) and wound infections.
If you are having fevers over 101.5F, increasing pain, nausea and vomiting, or any redness around your incision, you should call your surgeon immediately. Otherwise, hang in there, take your pain meds (and stool softeners!), and things will get better. Ice packs do wonders in the first 72 hours to help control pain.

You should be back to normal within 2 weeks-- but much is dependent on which surgery you had, and how severe your appendicitis was.

Now, can I have your insurance information, so I can bill them for a consult? hehehe. kidding. Good luck, hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks, I had an open procedure. I have a piece of tape that is no more than 2in where they sliced me open. So far I have had no fever or vomiting, and it only really hurts when I move (getting up to pee is just horrible). The wound looks insanely clean too (can't tell at all I was opened up behind that tape) so I guess I lucked out and got a good surgeon. Also the 4mg of Morphine in my IV drip does nothing for the pain but I am afraid to ask for a heavier dose.

Edit: The doctor did say that my appendix was huge when he removed it because over 24 hours had passed since I started getting the abdominal pains.

 

[rnatalli]

Give it a few weeks. The good news is, it only gets better after the first few days. Hang in there.

 

[jinjuku]

The pain is most likely the retractor they left in ya

 

[jamie2112]

You will be ok in a few weeks. The pain will go away in a couple of days. I wouldn't be afraid to ask for more pain meds. Best of luck and hang in there.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The pain is most likely the retractor they left in ya

Or the cutting blade?
No disposal issues.

 

[j_garcia]

I figure you'll be out and about in a few, but recovering for a while. I guess that means you have some time for MGS4?

IMHO, get off the meds as soon as possible; don't rely on them.

 

[aberkowitz]

Or the cutting blade?
No disposal issues.

Any junior mints floating around in there??

Feel better quick!!

 

[speakerman39]

Gus, I just want to wish you a speedy recovery. Be sure to take it as easy as possible. It is very important to do what the doctors ask so not to slow the recovery process. This is often taken for granted and as such can lead to other aches and pains. Get well my friend.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[gus6464]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Doctor stopped giving me morphine and I have been able to walk around. I will be discharged tomorrow morning and I guess it's true what they say about the first 48 hours being the most painful. At least when I get home I get to be babied around by my wife for a week or so.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... I guess it's true what they say about the first 48 hours being the most painful. At least when I get home I get to be babied around by my wife for a week or so.

Yes, that can be painful.

 

[sgtpepper9]

I had mine appendix taken out when I was about 12. I thought the pre-op pain was significantly worse than the post-op. The only thing I had a hard time with post-op was getting up when sitting down. It just really hurt to use my abs. It wasn't a long recovery though. I played in a baseball tournament 6 days later and hit a homerun on my first at bat . no joke

 

[Adam]

Any junior mints floating around in there??

Beat me to it! "Something managed to stave off the infection..." (or something like that).


Gus, hope that you get better soon!

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Doctor stopped giving me morphine and I have been able to walk around. I will be discharged tomorrow morning and I guess it's true what they say about the first 48 hours being the most painful. At least when I get home I get to be babied around by my wife for a week or so.

Nothing like some TLC. Hey, I admit I love to be pampered when in pain. Never really had much of a high pain tolerance myself. Some people do-I am one that doesn't. Get well my friend.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[pzaur]

Glad you got it taken care of and are still with us!
-pat