With adequate care, most people recover from appendicitis and do not need to make changes to diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Full recovery from surgery takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Limiting physical activity during this time allows tissues to heal.
After an uncomplicated appendectomy, your surgeon will usually advise you to:
Get up and walk around the day of the surgery. Keep the incision clean and dry. Avoid lifting. Avoid constipation and straining during bowel movements by drinking plenty of fluids and eating high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains; move your bowels as soon as you feel the urge.
The same advice often applies in the case of a ruptured appendix, but over a longer time period. Be sure to call your doctor immediately if you notice:
Signs of infection, such as fever and chills, redness, swelling, increased pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision sites. Difficulty urinating, nausea or vomiting, constipation, pain that isn't relieved by available medication, cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
What to expect after the procedure?
With adequate care, most people recover from appendicitis and do not need to make changes to diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Full recovery from surgery takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Limiting physical activity during this time allows tissues to heal.
After an uncomplicated appendectomy, your surgeon will usually advise you to:
Get up and walk around the day of the surgery. Keep the incision clean and dry. Avoid lifting. Avoid constipation and straining during bowel movements by drinking plenty of fluids and eating high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains; move your bowels as soon as you feel the urge.
The same advice often applies in the case of a ruptured appendix, but over a longer time period. Be sure to call your doctor immediately if you notice:
Signs of infection, such as fever and chills, redness, swelling, increased pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision sites. Difficulty urinating, nausea or vomiting, constipation, pain that isn't relieved by available medication, cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.