Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

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

40 replies

hmc · 10/02/2014 15:45

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

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

bzoo · 10/02/2014 16:01

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

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 16:45

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.

OP posts:

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:04

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

OP posts:

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:13

Bumping to keep in Active conversations

OP posts:

Badvoc · 10/02/2014 20:21

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 · 10/02/2014 20:22

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

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:43

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

OP posts:

notapizzaeater · 10/02/2014 20:45

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

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:46

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

OP posts:

Best1sWest · 10/02/2014 20:47

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

Badvoc · 10/02/2014 20:48

I would steer clear of dairy if she has the runs

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:49

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

OP posts:

NonnoMum · 10/02/2014 20:52

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.

Waswondering · 10/02/2014 20:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TinyPawz · 10/02/2014 20:55

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

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:56

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 !

OP posts:

Badvoc · 10/02/2014 20:57

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

Badvoc · 10/02/2014 20:58

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

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 20:59

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

OP posts:

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 21:00

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

OP posts:

ToFollowJulie · 10/02/2014 21:01

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.

Waswondering · 10/02/2014 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 21:02

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

OP posts:

Badvoc · 10/02/2014 21:02

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)

Original poster

hmc · 10/02/2014 21:03

Thank you all by the way for sharing your experiences

OP posts:

Flip

1 2