How to Care For Yourself at Home after an Appendix Operation?

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An appendix is a small organ on the lower part of your large intestine. Appendicitis is an inflammation (swelling) of your appendix. It often occurs when the appendix becomes blocked with debris or other material. You may have abdominal pain, nausea (feeling sick), diarrhoea, or constipation. Sometimes, it can be life-threatening if not treated quickly enough with surgery. This article shares some of the most important post-operative care measures to take after an appendectomy.

8 Post-Surgery Tips for Appendix Operation

An Appendix operation is a major surgery. It requires a lot of attention and proper follow-up care by a surgeon. Here are some post-surgery care tips to help get back on track quickly:

After appendicitis surgery, you will be in the hospital for a few days. You may be allowed to go home after a few days if no complications occur. Follow your surgeon’s instructions and call your doctor for any health problems.
You will need help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting dressed, bathing, eating, and going to the bathroom. If possible, are able, you can resume light exercise after two weeks, but it is important not to overdo it because it could lead to complications such as infection or blood clots.
Take vitamin C supplements for one to three months after the operation. It will help heal the surgical site faster and reduce any chance of infection. If you take vitamin C for more than three months, it may cause stomach upset or diarrhoea.
Avoid eating greasy foods and smoking after an appendectomy because both can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamins and minerals from food. Also, drink lots of fluids (water, juice, etc.) while at home
The most important thing is to take care of yourself. Get adequate rest, sleep, eat well, and drink lots of water. Eat light food like soups and salads, and avoid heavy meals like hamburgers and steaks.
You may need over-the-counter pain medicine (such as aspirin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). It will be prescribed by your doctor if required.
Do not smoke while recovering from your operation. For asthmatic symptoms, talk with your doctor about taking medications to help reduce shortness of breath at night.
Take care of your incision to prevent any infection. On the doctor’s advice, leave your incision open for a few days after surgery to heal more quickly and easily in the clean air of your home environment.

What to Expect During and After an Appendectomy?

The treatment for appendicitis usually involves surgery to remove the inflamed appendix and release the affected area of the bowel so that it can heal. If it is not possible or successful, then additional surgery may be required. However, there are a few things to expect during and after the appendix operation. These are:

Expect pain in your abdomen, back, and sometimes your legs. You may also experience cramping, nausea, and a fever.
After the surgery, you will require hospitalisation for a few days. If your appendix ruptures, you will likely be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids to prevent dehydration and organ failure.
Your doctor will give you antibiotics to prevent infection after surgery. It would be best to remain on these medications as prescribed after surgery. Take pain medication as prescribed.
You may have difficulty sleeping after surgery because of discomfort from the anaesthesia or intravenous (IV) fluids administered through an IV line in your arm. It can be challenging to get enough rest before returning home.

Conclusion

An operation to remove an inflamed appendix requires general anaesthesia If a person has had no symptoms but is found to have had an inflamed appendix, then appendicitis is diagnosed. Still, antibiotics are not given at this stage because no active infection is present. The condition needs treatment before it develops into something more serious such as perforation (bursting open) of the bowel wall due to severe inflammation. It would need emergency surgery by a specialist surgeon.

Max Healthcare provides minimally invasive laparoscopic appendectomy, that entails a shorter hospital stay and is very cost-effective. Furthermore, the post-operative care at Max Hospitals makes it easier for patients to get back to their routine work quickly. Get in touch with them for further medical assistance.