NFR Talk to me about Appendectomy

[Burt Dagger]

Mine went south on me in 2000 when I was already into my late forties. I had a tummy ache, and figured my standard “sleep and it will get better” program didn’t work. By the time I got to the ER things were getting bad, and I was rushed into surgery.
The following day I developed cellulitis.
The attending doc threatened me with necrotizing fasciitis (don’t do a Google image search) and wanted to open the wound; leaving a Grand Canyon that would heal up- in a few months.
I objected and got a12 hour reprieve. Things started improving, and I spent the next 4 days in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. I didn’t eat and left the hospital 15# lighter (I started out slim), and was weak as a baby.
Before antibiotics, I’d have suffered a nasty death.

Brutal, even without the Grand Canyon treatment.

I was on an IV drip before seeing the surgery team, and the PA had told me that in cases like mine with no rupture, sometimes they see how the appendix responds to antibiotics and then discharge with no surgery.

I called my older brother, who’d had his appendix removed, to get his thoughts. He told me that after his burst, the schmutz dripped down into his ballsack and gave him a testicle infection on top of everything else. That’s the moment I resolved to just get the surgery if they were going to leave it up to me.

 

[Phil K]

Mine went south on me in 2000 when I was already into my late forties. I had a tummy ache, and figured my standard “sleep and it will get better” program didn’t work. By the time I got to the ER things were getting bad, and I was rushed into surgery.
The following day I developed cellulitis.
The attending doc threatened me with necrotizing fasciitis (don’t do a Google image search) and wanted to open the wound; leaving a Grand Canyon that would heal up- in a few months.
I objected and got a12 hour reprieve. Things started improving, and I spent the next 4 days in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. I didn’t eat and left the hospital 15# lighter (I started out slim), and was weak as a baby.
Before antibiotics, I’d have suffered a nasty death.

Did I mention that the pathology report described my specimen as “pustular and necrotic”? That ain’t good

 

[Porter2]

Peritonitis of any kind is not what you want.

 

[krusty]

Had an emergency appendectomy last May at the age of 74, which is quite old for appendicitis and frequently misdiagnosed because old fart degens like myself present different symptoms than the classic appendicitis..

Wasn't in much pain but started feeling weird and checked my BP...it was like 195/155! Time to head to the ER.

A dye contrast CT scan revealed appendicitis and off to surgery I go. Laparoscopic, and the surgeon noted it hadn't burst, and only localized peritonitis.

Relatively easy recovery, although I felt nauseous and my digestive system went full ass-blaster. Got that under control with an anti-nausea prescription and completion of the antibiotic doses. Ate bland foods like bananas, chicken soup, and scrambled eggs.

I felt physically strong in about a week but I followed the doc's very restrictive post-op instructions. In about two weeks I was doing a bit of light rowing and bicycling.

The oddest thing was that for many months before the appendicitis I'd been having pretty severe tailbone pain when sitting. The removal of my nasty old appendix completely solved that issue; apparently I'd been sitting on the damned thing.

 

[RCF]

Lots of good advice on this thread. Follow your doctor's advice! Each and everything issue is different from the next person. From my experience, I do not remember nor understand the instructions when released from the hospital. Read it again the next day to comprehend the actual instructions. And daily review is not a bad thing. If you are like me, I always feel I am better than I am. Some improvement may make you think you are back to 'normal' when you are not.

Constipation is not fun. Antibiotics plus opioids can be very real in causing issues and not a good thing during recovery. Trust your instincts and get help before it gets worse.

The body's recuperation is a wonderful thing. Amazing actually! Follow the instructions...

I have lots of experience with issues.. Listening to the doctors allows me to write this post...

 

[Shawn Seeger]

Well it's good that our alien DNA gave us something we really don't need.



I will parrot others, so what the doc/surgeon tells you. Go easy on your diet for a while, then go gradually.

My appendix journey was different, mine as previously posted, started with a funding of colon cancer (REMINDER - everybody needs to get their colonoscopy). My cancer was in the ascending colon so they were in there and going to remove the entire ascending colon, when they examined the appendix they found cancer there also, it was a second/different type of cancer SO they removed it. The benift of both cancers were they were totally contained. The doctor and surgeon both said most of the time cancer in the appendix doesn't get caught until it has spread, so I was blessed!

The benifts for you is your appendix removal shouldn't after things recover your diet or pooping.

Praying for quick recovery!

(PS there is a ton of fly fishing videos on YouTube for recovery... from past experience and upcoming knee replacement)

 

[krusty]

This thread is starting to sound like the drugstore scene in Grumpy Old Men!

My appendectomy scar left me with a second bellybutton, right above the original....my deformity resulted in AARP rescinding its photoshoot offer for their upcoming PlayHag centerfold.

There go all those free drinks from the widows on VFW's lady's night.