OT-Anyone ever have their appendix out?

[BayouGal]

Hi all!

I don't post often, but I lurk a lot...

Anyway, last Saturday I had excruciating pain in my abdomen and ended up in the ER. They determined that it was my appendix and promptly removed it. I had some complications afterward with a persistent fever, and I just got home yesterday. I visit the doctor next Tuesday for a follow-up appointment, and I am wondering what he will tell me about resuming exercise.

Thank goodness I had decided to wait and see about the Road Trip. Plus it sold out so quick anyway. I went on the 2005 Trip so at least I have had the great experience of meeting Cathe and working out with everyone. Maybe I will shoot for next summer's trip!

If anyone can share how long it took them to get back into the swing of things, it would be nice. By the way, I had the laprascopic (sp?) procedure, not a big incision.

Thanks for any input....
Sandra S.

 

[endorphin_junkie]

Hi Sandra, you've been through a lot, glad you're feeling well enough to be up and on the computer, although I'm sure you must be feeling pretty wrung out. That's fantastic that you will only have a little scar.

I can't be much help with my personal experience, had my appendix out when I was 17 (1979) the old fashioned way with a 'lovely' 5 inch scar down my right side. I know that it took me about 6 weeks before I didn't dread sneezing or feel like I might literally bust a gut if I had a good laugh. My brother-in-law and I still laugh about how we met. He was my sister's new boyfriend at the time and I met him when they came to take me home. I was naive about many things and not savvy on medical lingo, I knew I had to have some little procedure before they let me go home so with a big smile on my stupid face I said "I can't go home yet, they're gonna give me an enema!":+ Ohhh to be 17!!

Hope your recovery goes well, the worst is over, that pain before they take the appendix out is excrutiating!!

Take Care
Laurie

 

[BayouGal]

Thanks Laurie for giving me a good laugh with the "enema" comment! Although it does hurt to laugh a little.

Your procedure sounds more like my recuperation from a c-section from the birth of my daughter. Now, that did take me several weeks to recuperate...

Actually, I will have three little scars, but one will be in my belly button. Things are still swollen, so I am not sure how it will look...

Thanks for the well wishes...

Sandra S

 

[carolyn122162]

Hi Sandra,

Glad to hear you have recovered from your surgery. I had my appendix removed a year ago August. I was more upset about not being able to workout than having the surgery. My procedure was also laproscopic.
I was told at my one week follow up visit NOT to workout for at least
3 weeks because I could get a hernia around the incisions(I had 3 incisions, the main one in the navel and then 2 below it towards the bone)and that would require another surgery and set me back even further. Needless to say I was devastated because I was really on a roll working out. After about 2-1/2 weeks I started lifting light weights for upper body while I was sitting down so it wouldn't strain the abdomen to much. I slowly started to get back into working out but I didn't do any ab work for 5-6 weeks. I could feel too much pulling and pressure. You just have to listen to your body and gradually work back into a routine.

Good Luck,
Carolyn

 

[BayouGal]

Thanks for the input Carolyn. Your incisions sound exactly like mine, so the information was a big help. I am also upset at the notion of not working out for so long as summer is approaching!

Thanks for telling me about the hernia possibility as well. I have been doing a few things around the house today and sometimes I think that I push myself too hard. I will watch myself a little closer as far as how much I am taking on.

I appreciate the info and am glad that you seem to have recuperated well.......Sandra S.

 

[britgirl]

I had my appendix out last year complete surprise one minute I was fine the next in agonizing pain. They finally determined it was appendicitis and took it out. I went home the next day mine was laparascopic too just 3 small incisions. I recovered well only problem I felt was stomach was large and puffy for a while and vicodin made me sick. After 2 weeks doctor said I could resume exercise as normal. I guess it also goes on your state of health at the time. The surgeon called my husband afterwards and said she will be fine she's very healthy and skinny!!! Never thought of myself as skinny but I guess it helped as far as surgery goes!! Take it easy and listen to your body don't do too much too soon. Good luck and get well!!! Teresa