appendoctomy

[Jamesstout]

hey boys and girls, i just found out that my appendix burst last week, i suppose my pain threshold is quite high, i did the Carlsbad Weds ride with it like that (it's supposed to be the fastest us group ride) and felt okay(ish) over 110 miles. I checked in with the docs because i felt nauseous and not hungry even after such a long ride. Anyway they are giving me antibiotics and stuff to reduce the swelling and will operate in 8 weeks when i get back home to the UK (where state healthcare exists).

NOw i was wondering if anyone has had a lapiscopular appendoctomy and how long their recovery time was, i NEED some results by the end of the season to get with a team next year. If i get it done in august how long will i be off the bike for? have heard anything from 3 days to 3 weeks. It's basically a keyhole cut so i can't see that there will be too much muscle damage from the op itself but im not sure how long the healing process will take.
thanks for your help
james

[carl.c]

Something is wrong with your storie. 8 week dely on a burst appendix you will eather be dead or so infected full recovery will be imposable. If you really have a bust appendix get it fixed now not latter.

[Sjwalsh93]

If your story is true, which I doubt, you'll definitely need a faster operation for a ruptured appendix than in 8 weeks. They may suspect that your appendix is just inflamed, which is more likely.

However, I had a laparoscopic appendectomy in 2007, and I was fully recovered in a matter of weeks. However, I have had recurring pain and problems with scar tissue, and at this point I can't help but wonder if my jumping into activity too early may have contributed. You don't want your stomach to hurt every day for years afterwards, so you'll definitely want a period of a few weeks to relax and limit yourself to walking or very light exercise. However, everyone is different and your doctors will know what's best for you. I'd say 2-3 weeks before you can return to regular exercise, if the operation goes normally.

[Jamesstout]

Originally Posted by Sjwalsh93

If your story is true, which I doubt, you'll definitely need a faster operation for a ruptured appendix than in 8 weeks. They may suspect that your appendix is just inflamed, which is more likely.

However, I had a laparoscopic appendectomy in 2007, and I was fully recovered in a matter of weeks. However, I have had recurring pain and problems with scar tissue, and at this point I can't help but wonder if my jumping into activity too early may have contributed. You don't want your stomach to hurt every day for years afterwards, so you'll definitely want a period of a few weeks to relax and limit yourself to walking or very light exercise. However, everyone is different and your doctors will know what's best for you. I'd say 2-3 weeks before you can return to regular exercise, if the operation goes normally.

te thing is the appendix ruptures and healed, that why they dont want to remove it yet as they would risk damaging a fragile abcess. what sort of exercise did you do after your op? weights?

[Sjwalsh93]

Mine got infected/inflamed during basketball tryouts, and I made the team despite missing most of the workouts. After the op, I was in such a rush to get back on the court I kind of started shooting workouts faster, started light running after about a week or two, cardio and jumping etc; and for the most part I felt fine, but I've had lingering pain ever since so you never know if that contributed.

Also, if you do have an abscess that they'll have to operate around, there's a significant chance your operation could be more complex and you could be out of commission longer, just letting you know unless your doctor's given you a definite.

[Epith]

Try to stay away from heavy weight lifting or else you will be right back in the hospital on the operating table. Just do what you can and take your time. You have to remember although the surgery is routine doesn't mean the recovery is. Also, at first try to stay away from fatty foods or hard to digest foods.

[Jamesstout]

any advice for the mean time while i wait for the appendix mass to go down, i noticed fatty foods make it worse - is it anything which slows down digestion,so fiber as well?