Guide To Appendicitis Treatment And Recovery

Get Plenty Of Rest

After patients have been through the appendectomy, they need to get plenty of rest. An appendectomy is a major surgery that requires some recovery time at home. Patients might feel lethargic, weak, and unusually exhausted for multiple days following the procedure. They'll need to rest rather than returning to work or school immediately. It's common for a patient's abdomen to swell slightly after surgery, and they might experience pain. Patients whose appendectomy was done through laparoscopic surgery might find one shoulder might hurt for about a day. Some patients experience nausea, diarrhea, gas, constipation, or a headache. Patients will need to talk to a doctor about their recovery needs following the surgery. The amount of time recovery takes will vary depending on the type of surgery, whether there were any complications or not, the patient's overall physical health, and the patient's age. It usually takes about one to three weeks to recover from laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery has a longer recovery time, clocking in at two to four weeks.

Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Patients will be very tired after the surgery to remove their appendix. Many are lethargic enough that they lose track of time and fail to eat or drink enough. But it's vital for patients to keep drinking fluids as part of the recovery process. The first day after surgery, patients should only have clear fluids rather than eating anything solid. They should also drink a lot of water. Fluids are necessary for staying hydrated during the recovery period. The best drink individuals can have is water, but fruit juices and sports drinks might help their electrolyte balance as long as the doctor says it's okay. Patients should avoid caffeine and very acidic fluids. When patients experience nausea following surgery, doctors recommend upping their fluid intake and making sure they're sipping water regularly until the nausea passes. If patients are worried about getting dehydrated, they can consume chicken broth or another drink with a high sodium content. This will help increase fluid retention in the body. While a lot of sodium isn't good for a long-term diet, it can help temporarily ease dehydration.