Preoperative information
Most appendix surgery (appendectomy) is performed as an urgent or emergency surgery.
Some people may have already perforated their appendix and usually have surgery delayed
and done as an outpatient procedure (elective surgery or interval appendectomy).
Prior to elective appendectomy, you will be asked not to eat anything after midnight
prior to your surgery. You will be given specific instructions from your surgeon or
anesthesiologist about which medications you should or should not take prior to your
surgery. You should not take any blood thinning medications at least 5 days prior
to your operation. This should be discussed with your surgeon at your preop visit.
Postoperative information
Greater than 95% of appendectomies are performed laparoscopically. In the event that
a larger incision is required, recovery time may be longer than the typical described
below.
Activity
You can resume most usual activities gradually beginning shortly after surgery. You
should begin walking the night of surgery or the following morning and continue to
increase as you are able. Increased activity reduces the risk of blood clots, and
improves breathing to prevent pneumonia.
While in the hospital, you will be asked to walk several times a day, beginning no later than the morning after surgery in most cases. You will usually need assistance to get out of bed, especially the first time, since you will likely have IV tubing and sometimes drains or catheters that need to be disconnected in order for you to get around. A Physical Therapist often helps you get out of bed and regain your strength after major surgery. Walkers, canes or crutches will be made available as needed. In some cases a short stay in a rehabilitation center or short-term nursing home may be needed. This is uncommon and usually only needed for people who had to have emergency operations or had some other complications and a long hospital stay.
Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks and excessive bending or twisting for 1-2 weeks following surgery. This is to allow healing of the incisions, specifically the fascia (the strongest layer of the abdomen wall) and decrease the risk of getting a hernia.
Avoid driving until you no longer need narcotic pain medication. Driving while taking them can impair your ability to drive safely.
You should be able to return to work 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Wound Care
A small gauze and clear tape dressing is typically placed over each incision. These
dressings can be removed 48 hrs (2 days) after the operation. Below this dressing
are small brown or white pieces of tape (called Steri-Strips); these will fall off
on their own within 1-2 weeks or be removed at your follow-up visit with your surgeon.
If your surgeon gives you specific instructions other than this, please follow those
instructions.
You may shower after 48hrs (after the gauze and clear tape dressing is removed). It is okay to get soap and water on the incisions. Pat the area dry. It is not recommend that you submerge underwater (in a bathtub, pool, or hot-tub) for at least two weeks post-op.
If you notice drainage from your incisions, particularly if it is thick and foul-smelling or associated with a fever, you should contact your surgeon.
If you notice redness around your incisions, especially if it is getting worse or associated with drainage or a fever, you should contact your surgeon.
Medications
Pain Management
Pain is typically just around the site of incisions, but after laparoscopic surgery,
you may have more general abdominal pain or even shoulder pain due to the air used
to inflate your abdomen during the surgery. Pain from air inflation will go away in
24 to 48 hours.
You will be discharged with pain medication, typically a mild to moderate strength narcotic. Take as needed and as prescribed. You may also take over-the-counter medications such as advil for pain. Most narcotic medications prescribed are combined with Tylenol (acetaminophen) and you should not take additional Tylenol if you are taking a narcotic medication that already contains Tylenol.
Other Medications
You may be prescribed a stool softener when you go home. Pain medications can cause
constipation and a stool softener may help. You may also be given nausea medication
if you have experience nausea or vomiting from taking your pain medication.
Home Medications
Unless otherwise instructed, you should be able to resume your usual home medications
the night of or the morning following your surgery.
Diet
You may resume your usual diet as you feel able unless otherwise instructed. You may have some abdominal bloating or mild nausea after your operation, so eat slowly and only what you can tolerate. Your appetite may be less than usual but typically returns to normal within a week or two. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids (6-8 glasses of water of juice each day) if your appetite is not very good.
Follow Up
You will be given a date and time to see your surgeon following surgery. If you are
discharged late in the day or over the weekend, you will be given a number to call
the following business day for an appointment. If you are having trouble making an
appointment, you should call your doctors' office directly for assistance.
Call Your Doctor If:
Contact Information
Daytime hours:
Call 706-21-4686 or 7597
After hours and weekends:
Call 706-21-8400