Just wondering - how was your dc post op after emergency appendectomy?

[hmc]

Mine is 1 week post-op. Was open surgery rather than laparascopic. She returned to school today but I was phoned at 1.45 to collect her early because she is very tired.

How long did you dc have off school and how long before their normal energy levels were restored?

DD is 11 and in Y7

[bzoo]

I was 18 when I had mine out. Three weeks later I still felt rough. What did doctor recommend?

[hmc]

Doctor recommended bugger all! No written post op instructions (would have liked a leaflet) - rather brief ward round visit where (where he demonstrated the bed side manner of a plank of wood) he said keep her off school for rest of week (this was last Tuesday morning), and watch for high temp, redness etc around the incision. Didn't offer comprehensive info. I've gleaned from googling that people can be tired for 2-3 weeks, and that seems to be your experience so I won't worry just yet. It's just that she is usually full of energy so quite a contrast.

[hmc]

And now she has had watery diarrhoea :(

Have scared myself stupid by googling this....

Are there really so few people who have had acute appendicitis on Mn? Nobody else with their experiences (particularly re latest development - watery diarrhoea?)

Have just rung ward that she was discharged from and spoken to ward sister who thinks it isn't likely to be C.diff 6 days after last antibiotics but I'm unsure

[hmc]

Bumping to keep in Active conversations

[Badvoc]

I think one week after open surgery it too soon to be back at shcool/work tbh.
I had an emergency op - but laparoscopically - in November and I was told 2 weeks off work.
Wrt to the diahorrea, it could be many things. She could have picked it up at school or it could just be a reaction to abdo surgery.
I would be keeping her off til after half term if it was me.

[blueberryboybait]

I had mine out as an adult and was signed off work for 3 weeks.

[hmc]

Ah, ok thanks. Perhaps doing too much too soon.

[notapizzaeater]

Remember a colleague being off for 6 weeks after appendix. Dh who's a workaholic had 2 weeks.

[hmc]

I've just given her some Actimel (containing 'good' gut bacteria) as that can't hurt....

[Best1sWest]

Mine was off for about three weeks and by then it was the school hold. Anaesthetic can be very tiring.

[Badvoc]

I would steer clear of dairy if she has the runs

[hmc]

Hmm - so nobody went back after a week. Flipping heck I am now even more displeased with the scanty post op advice since they suggested fine for school today.

I think I will plan a half day tomorrow and pick her up at lunch time - she is worried about missing too much and having to catch up.

If still tired after half day we will review again for Weds. Thanks all

[NonnoMum]

A friend's daughter was v poorly post op. Please don't rush to do anything (like school) and concentrate on her getting better.
Phone out of hours (or can you phone the ward) for better medical advice.

When we were chlidren, kids were in hosp for ages and then off school for weeks post operatively. Rushing to get patients out of hospital is for financial not medical reasons...

Take care.

[TinyPawz]

I was 21 when I had mine out, I was off work for nearly 8 weeks, bad reaction to anaesthetic.

Perhaps better to talk to the school about getting work sent home rather than sending her in for half days

[hmc]

I do take your point in general Badvoc but Lactobacillus Casel (in Actimel, Yakult etc) has been found to help with diarrhoea (lots of references)...also I do suspect she has C.diff (good gut bacteria wiped out by antibiotics after surgery) and will probably take her to GP tomorrow and insist that they test for it if further bouts of watery diarrhoea see section 4 Digestive health

Am beginning to sound like a hypochondriac on dd's behalf aren't I !

[Badvoc]

They actually said send her to school one week post op!?

[Badvoc]

I really think she should not be in school - she may even still have GA in her system!!

[hmc]

Oh no Waswondering - off sport for 6 weeks! Dd will be horrified. Don't worry - I am trying to get the proper medical advice and will not push her. In fact I rang the hospital today and had a bit of a grumble, they are pulling her notes and phoning me tomorrow to advise on when safe to participate in sport (she does a lot of it) and other stuff

[hmc]

They did Badvoc - AND - she had the op 10.30 last Monday and was discharged by 11 am the next day!

[ToFollowJulie]

My DD had a laparascopic appendectomy last year when she was 13. She was in hospital for 2 nights, came out on a Saturday morning. That week was half term. The following Monday she went in late and I saw her head of year. She did half days that week. She was also let out of lessons a couple of minutes early so as to avoid being jolted in the corridors.

It did seem to take a long time for her to recover some stamina and resilience. I think it was all quite a shock and it seemed to knock her confidence.

Hope your DD feels better soon.

[hmc]

Don't worry Waswondering - I won't let her resume sport until its absolutely cast iron safe

[Badvoc]

That's just insane.
I know they need the beds, but, bloody hell...
I stayed in overnight and felt rough for 4 weeks after my op (and I consider myself pretty stoic)

[hmc]

Thank you all by the way for sharing your experiences