Recovering after appendectomy

matt21
matt21 Posts: 71
edited March 2015 in Training, fitness and health
Hi all

Sorry- long time lurker looking for advice again.
Really I'm hoping for a bit of reassurance - had an appendectomy almost 6 weeks ago now but I'm struggling to find any energy and strength. I've been riding since week 3 but the most pathetic rides are still epic expeditions and things don't seem to be improving much. The scars healed nicely and I know it takes longer on the inside etc.
Is this normal? Seems like the op was ages ago...
Just wondering what other people's experiences have been?

Thanks

Comments

  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    In English it is appendicectomy.
    Ask your surgeon about post op recovery.
  • matt21
    matt21 Posts: 71
    Yeah really helpful, thanks for that. Wikipedia is a wonderful thing!?
    I was really looking for the thoughts re recovery periods from those who have had the op - presumably quite a large percentage?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Was this delicate keyhole surgery or was it some kind of acute admission and Jack-the Ripper style disemboweling?

    I had my gallbladder out laparoscopically a few years ago and was up and about in no time. 6 weeks seems like a long time unless you're particularly elderly or suffering from other things.

    Apart from the rubbish cycling do you feel generally well?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    And appendectomy appears to be perfectly acceptable terminology in the UK
  • matt21
    matt21 Posts: 71
    I think it was a bit more of a Jack the Ripper job - sent home with painkillers at 4am after visiting hospital first of all. Then kept waiting in hospital for 3 days because no surgeons available, resulting in a temperature and badly inflamed appendix which carried on for a couple of days after as well. Bucket loads of antibiotics and morphine.
    Went out again tonight for a miserable 30 mile crawl - just can't get back to normal!
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    You need to speak to the medical professional treating you and follow their advice careful after that type of procedure.

    Even minor procedures carry risk and recovery has to be carefully planned and managed. The shock to your body and its need to heal should not be under estimated.
  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    i had this done several years ago and it took about 6 months before i was fully up to speed again, was an emergency admission, if you don't mind me saying, i think you are a fool trying to ride your bike so soon, you feel weak for reason and you should listen to your body.

    You also need to ask the Hospital what your post op should be.
  • matt21
    matt21 Posts: 71
    Not at all - any thoughts appreciated. As regards cycling so soon, I was advised 3-4 weeks and then starting gently, which is exactly what I'be tried to do.
    As far as follow up appointments etc, there are none, just a case of there you go, job done and see you later.
    Maybe a return to the GP might be in order - I'll have to see if they can manage to schedule an appointment for 4 weeks time!
  • iron_duke
    iron_duke Posts: 117
    keef66 wrote:
    And appendectomy appears to be perfectly acceptable terminology in the UK

    Oh no it's not! ;-)
    http://www.mountain-thyme.com/index.php
  • iron_duke
    iron_duke Posts: 117
    Matt21 wrote:
    I think it was a bit more of a Jack the Ripper job - sent home with painkillers at 4am after visiting hospital first of all. Then kept waiting in hospital for 3 days because no surgeons available, resulting in a temperature and badly inflamed appendix which carried on for a couple of days after as well. Bucket loads of antibiotics and morphine.
    Went out again tonight for a miserable 30 mile crawl - just can't get back to normal!

    Matt, sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. My thoughts, appendicitis can be pretty varied from minor inflammation and back to normal pretty quickly to a disease which still, rarely, in the UK can kill. Sounds like you had a nasty appendicitis which was allowed to brew for several days before getting the operation required, why you waited I can not comment on. Removing the appendix is the "easy" part and your body still needs to heal and overcome the damage done if you had infection spread inside your abdomen from a burst/nasty appendicitis.

    Normally you will not have been given a further appointment at the hospital but if you are struggling don't hesitate to make an appointment with your GP who can give you a check over and if needs be get you back to the hospital to be seen.

    There are no hard and fast rules but if you are not feeling right then your body is, likely, not quite ready. This may not be the answer you were hoping for but best wishes with your recovery. The Internet can offer much and varied advice but your GP is a good place to start to get advice and any further help you may need.
    http://www.mountain-thyme.com/index.php
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    6-8 weeks is about right for recovering from something like that.. especially if it burst.

    However, when my appendix burst a few years ago... I felt the same way and was back in hospital 6 months after with an infection caused by some debris that were left behind... they gave me some antibiotics but the second trip back a month later ended with me having to have another Op to clean it up.

    At least the recovery after the second was much much quicker!
  • matt21
    matt21 Posts: 71
    Thanks very much for the advice - looks like I'll be taking it easy for a while yet.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Iron_Duke wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    And appendectomy appears to be perfectly acceptable terminology in the UK

    Oh no it's not! ;-)

    Guy's & St. Thomas' seem to use the term...

    http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resou ... ectomy.pdf
  • iron_duke
    iron_duke Posts: 117
    keef66 wrote:
    Iron_Duke wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    And appendectomy appears to be perfectly acceptable terminology in the UK

    Oh no it's not! ;-)

    Guy's & St. Thomas' seem to use the term...

    http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resou ... ectomy.pdf

    Ahh the joys of the Americanisation of the medical language. A shame that standards continue to slip south of the Thames :twisted:

    British surgeon = appendicectomy

    American surgeon = appendectomy

    You can choose whichever you please. Would you say the sky is grey or gray? :wink:
    http://www.mountain-thyme.com/index.php
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    Iron_Duke wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    Iron_Duke wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    And appendectomy appears to be perfectly acceptable terminology in the UK

    Oh no it's not! ;-)

    Guy's & St. Thomas' seem to use the term...

    http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resou ... ectomy.pdf

    Ahh the joys of the Americanisation of the medical language. A shame that standards continue to slip south of the Thames :twisted:

    British surgeon = appendicectomy

    American surgeon = appendectomy

    You can choose whichever you please. Would you say the sky is grey or gray? :wink:

    +1
    Anesthesia or Anaesthesia
    Esophagus or Oesopaghus
    EKG or EGC
    Epinepherine or Adrenaline
    Elevator or Lift
    you understand?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Somebody should tell NHS choices too then.

    Aloominum!
    Suspenders!
    Trunk / hood / fenders / muffler etc etc
    And why can't Americans pronounce Nuclear?

Categories