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Original poster

Recovering from appendectomy

3 replies

Minai · 17/03/2019 20:24

If anyone has had an appendectomy before how long was your recovery? I’m getting so frustrated with not being able to do anything Sad

I had my appendix removed by laparoscopy on Wednesday and was home the following day. I initially felt very bruised all over the abdomen and quite painful at the incision sites. This is improving but I’m still having quite a lot of pain where the appendix used to be.

I’m a stay at home mum to a 21 month old and 14 week old. I fortunately have my mum staying to help but I’m finding it so hard not being able to look after them properly.

How long did it take you to be pain free and how long to get back to normal activities? The doctors were quite vague when I asked.

OP posts:
Gryffindork7 · 17/03/2019 22:29

When I had my appendix out it took about two weeks for the pain to go, the bruised feeling to die down and be able to move about more freely without pain. If I over done it though or strained my stomach by carrying heavy things and whatnot I certainly felt it! If you’re not breastfeeding ibuprofen can help, and sometimes hot water bottles can help ease the pain... Hope you feel better soon!

Original poster
Minai · 18/03/2019 18:02

Thank you @gryffindork7, I think 2 weeks should be manageable. I’m 5 days post op and feeling a lot better today. I managed to take the boys to a group with the help from my mum. I’ve been resting most of the day after that as I don’t want to overdo it. Thanks for the tip about the hot water bottle, I’ll give it a go. I’m not breastfeeding so have been able to take ibuprofen too

OP posts:
Gryffindork7 · 18/03/2019 18:09

I was surprised that I felt ok within two weeks, I think it’s because it was done laparoscopically... I had a huge drain sticking out of my stomach for three days too! I didn’t find the recovery was too bad after a week but felt so much better after two. I’m glad you managed to get out a bit but definitely don’t overdo it, because you’ll definitely feel the repercussions! I’ve got fibromyalgia and a few other pain disorders so was expecting to take weeks to recover but I didn’t. Hopefully you’ll start to feel a lot better each day! X

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