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[The Lamp]

Had stomach pain that would not go away with medicine today. Went to the ER to find out I have early stage of Appendicitis. They were so glad I came before it ruptured. I have surgery tomorrow but they haven't told me when or anything about recovery or what to expect.

What should I expect? What's recovery like?

 

[ISOM]

How long did you have the symptoms before you realized it was that serious and had to go the hospital?

 

[StopMakingSense]

Since you caught it so early they'll do it laparoscopically. Minimal incision, moderate recovery. You'll be out of the hospital in a day. You'll hurt from laughing and stuff for a while, but nothing TOO bad.

 

[The Lamp]

No symptoms until today. Got cramps about 12 hours ago and they weren't going away with food, water, Pepto Bismol or Tums. Started to get worse so I went to the ER about 6 hours ago.

 

[jufonuk]

Had mine out; managed to get appendicitis on the day of an exam lol,

Just expect to have a scar on your lower right part of stomach, I have not much feeling around the scar area.

As for recovery , I remember not being able to sit up without it hurting for a few days and then After I wouldn't sleep on my front for the longest time..
try and take it east for a while or until it stops aching

 

[Kyne]

it's always been a huge fear of mine of dying from it overnight in my sleep.

to be fair my old housekeeper's husband died from it.. they were very poor and he couldn't afford to go to the hospital so he tried to just sleep it off (he didn't actually know what was wrong)

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

 

[narcosis219]

I got it when I was in grade 2 or 3.

All I remember was it hurt like hell. I remember the sleeping gas smelled like pizza and I had to relearn how to walk after the surgery since my legs were real weak and my stomach area hurt a lot.

I was also told that after the surgery, the first time I woke up, I sat up slightly and puked and then fell back unconscious. I don't have any recollection of this at all LOL.

 

[The Lamp]

it's always been a huge fear of mine of dying from it overnight in my sleep.

to be fair my old housekeeper's husband died from it.. they were very poor and he couldn't afford to go to the hospital so he tried to just sleep it off (he didn't actually know what was wrong)

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

Gees. Thank God I have insurance.

Can't sleep. Too uncomfortable in this hospital bed and nervous about the surgery.

 

[ConstructMe]

surgery aint too bad, they had to give me an ass exam which sucked tho

 

[Norua]

It's a very simple surgery.
You'll have trouble moving freely for a couple of days of course but nothing really painful.

Mostly you'll be glad it's over. Nothing to fear.


55k for the surgery in the US? Whow. It costed me around... 0€. How do you even come up with 55k if you don't have the money for insurance in the first place?

 

[LaserBuddha]

Had mine taken out. Really not a big deal. I had it out late one evening, then was up and dressed in the morning waiting for discharge.

It will hurt more a day later when the numbness wears off, but not too bad.

 

[ConstructMe]

i had to stay in for 7 nights coz it burst and i got infected

 

[Striek]

Had mine taken out when I was a kid. Was told it was "almost about to burst". Taken out at about 10am, eating McD's at 6pm in hospital, no complications, home the next day. Felt fine.

 

[RayStorm]

My Appendix decided to leave me a bit less than 2 years ago. Started with horrible pain after waking up, so much that walking down stairs was nearly impossible. Went to the hospital a few hours later, while waiting there the pain actually subsided greatly. Went back home, slept, had several more in-depth checks (at that point I was still hopeful to leave with my intestines intact) and surgery the next day.

And then the fun started. My goodness, those were 3 hellacious days. Maybe because it was summer, the hospital had no AC and it was upwards of 28°C during the night. But sleep was hard to come by. Walking proved painful, actually moving did so as well. And the painkillers were okay, I guess.
Anyway, after those 3 days it got better. But the nurses telling me that I must feel better after the surgery had no clue. Getting the stitches out after several weeks was surprisingly uneventful. Anyway... now I've got a light 6cm scar on my lower right abdomen to show!

 

[dbztrk]

i had to stay in for 7 nights coz it burst and i got infected

My Aunt's appendix ruptured too. However, she died from the gangrene poisoning. One of the saddest moments of my life.

 

[jaxword]

Gees. Thank God I have insurance.

Think about all those poor souls unable for various reasons of chance or circumstance that don't have insurance...puts things into perspective.

 

[Hoo-doo]

it's always been a huge fear of mine of dying from it overnight in my sleep.

to be fair my old housekeeper's husband died from it.. they were very poor and he couldn't afford to go to the hospital so he tried to just sleep it off (he didn't actually know what was wrong)

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

Oh Jesus Christ.

I'm moving to the states once I finish med school.
The desperate tears of my bankrupt patients will be nicely absorbed by the fat stacks of money.

 

[Lace]

I had mine done a year ago and just had my best friend go in for it the exact same date this year.

The surgery is no big deal. I suffered from the leftover gas and caused extreme pain in my right shoulder for a few days. It finally did pass though. My big suggestion is to not lift anything. I was taking dance during this time and decided to get right back into it. I lifted a girl and pop went the stitches/bandage. I now have terrible scars where the incisions were. Be smart.

Be glad you have insurance. My bill was only a few thousand when all was said and done (thanks to my insurance otherwise it would've been 30k).

 

[mt1200]

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

Unbelievable.

 

[GK86]

I had it when I was in the 8th grade. Except that by the time I went to the ER, it had already ruptured. Was in a hospital bed and out of school for 3 weeks.

 

[massoluk]

Ahh I remember it when it happened to me during college. Unbearable pain at home for hours before some friends took me to hospital. They made me wait at lobby for 45 minutes, then told me to lie in bed, check back with me many hours later asked if I'm ok and ready to leave now. WTF? Verbally, I said "No." In mind, I said, "Hell, the fuck, examine me, I'm dying here." Then they finally took me to x-ray. Yup, appendicitis. We're cutting you up in a second.

Oh man, American hospital system.

 

[Resilient]

I had it.

Went home feeling like I was gonna die. Went to the ER, got admitted, took them 2 days to decide to OP. By then it had exploded. Couldn't get keyhole, but I recovered fine with no infection.

Don't dick around with appendicitis. You did good OP.

 

[GlamFM]

Had it removed 20 something years ago. No big deal. I left the hospital 5 days after the surgery.

 

[DKehoe]

If it's done the same way mine was (I'm not sure if there are other methods) you will have three small scars. Moving around and bending will be a bit painful for a while but nothing too bad. I was out of hospital the day after the operation.

 

[DonMigs85]

You were lucky. Mine ruptured back in 2003 and I almost got pretty nasty peritonitis.
I had terrible cramps and loose poop for 10 days

 

[Correctomundo]

Yeah, you lucked out. I had Appendicitis in 2004. Went 4 days with it thinking it was just bad stomach cramps before the pain got to be too much and went to the ER. They rushed me right into surgery because it was apparently on the verge of bursting. Surgery on Friday afternoon, discharged on Sunday morning. Couldn't move or sleep too well for the next week, but compared to the other injuries I've sustained in my life, I healed from it pretty fast.

 

[KHarvey16]

I actually had it twice and only realized what the first case was after I went to the hospital during the second. Mine ruptured when I was in the hospital and I gotta tell you, it felt great when it went. I actually felt much better and when they came in to tell me I was going into surgery right now I couldn't have cared less. I was so happy to be done with the constant pain.

Even though it burst they still went in with the small incision and cleaned everything up. A few days in the hospital to keep an eye on any potential infection and I was pretty much all set. It hurt when they removed the drainage tube they put in there but other than that recovery was fine, just really sore near the incision for a bit.

 

[Ikki]

an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

Shit, id rather fly to Mexico and get any type of surgery over there.

 

[Foffy]

Think about all those poor souls unable for various reasons of chance or circumstance that don't have insurance...puts things into perspective.

Expand that and really think about how fucking absurd concepts like insurance are. Why it's a thing is beyond me. Illness and injury being monetary pits...what a fucking joke of society.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Shit, id rather fly to Mexico and get any type of surgery over there.

That sounds completely made up, since I do these. Maybe $1000 for the surgeon fees, estimated $2-3000 for the facility fee, same fee for the hospital room. Then you have anesthesia and equipement but no way that comes to $50k for costs or payments. Now, if that is what some hospitals charge in the cat and mouse game of 'what does the insurance pay?'...eh but I still have trouble believing that's the costs charged.

 

[KHarvey16]

That sounds completely made up, since I do these. Maybe $1000 for the surgeon fees, estimated $2-3000 for the facility fee, same fee for the hospital room. Then you have anesthesia and equipement but no way that comes to $50k for costs or payments. Now, if that is what some hospitals charge in the cat and mouse game of 'what does the insurance pay?'...eh but I still have trouble believing that's the costs charged.

If I remember right my appendectomy with two or three days in ICU to keep an eye on any potential infection was like $30k back in the early 2000's. So yeah, $55k just for surgery sounds high.

 

[keezy]

I had mono a few years ago that turned into pancreatitis. That was the most miserable I've ever felt in my entire life. I know it's not the same thing you have OP but I'm sure it's comparable. Get better soon.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

I don't really have a story to share, but best of luck to you OP.

 

[Fireblend]

it's always been a huge fear of mine of dying from it overnight in my sleep.

to be fair my old housekeeper's husband died from it.. they were very poor and he couldn't afford to go to the hospital so he tried to just sleep it off (he didn't actually know what was wrong)

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

What the fuck?! This is ridiculous.

 

[Omzz]

had appendix taken out about 4 years ago. recovery wasnt so bad, for me I couldnt even lie down for the first few days. So had to sleep sitting up

expect to be sore, and walk as much as you are able to.

 

[The Lamp]

I did a round of antibiotics and got to go home. I got it when it was early so I had it laproscopically and little to no risk of infection because it had yet to burst.

Lesson of the day: get constant or worsening abdomen pain checked out immediately. Don't wait until it's so bad you risk dying. If it's Appendicitis it's an emergency and early detection is crucial. A stitch in time literally saves at least 9.

 

[Mayyhem]

Mine was close to rupturing or something I think. I remember the pain was terrible. Went to the ER. They scheduled a surgery very soon.

Recovery I remembered being moderately shitty. I was a kid though, spent a few days in the hospital. I remember going to the shitter was the hardest thing in the world, pain was terrible.

 

[djSyndrome]

Daughter 1.0's appendectomy had no complications and she was in the hospital less than 48 hours. Total bills: $26k, in 2010 dollars.

 

[legacyzero]

Good luck OP!

 

[Ahasverus]

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

.

 

[SpacLock]

Maybe this will ease your mind. In 2009 Jonathon Ericsson who plays NHL for the Detroit Red Wings had an appendectomy and was back on the ice taking serious abuse from his opponents without hesitation within a few days.

The surgery is very common and extremely easy. I'm sure you'll be back to normal very quickly.

Here's a quote from NHL.com:

Red Wings rookie defenseman Jonathan Ericsson went from the operating room to the Stanley Cup finals ice in a span of three days.

 

[nailbombxx]

The removal of my appendix when I was 14 wasnt that bad. The only thing that really hurt was the pain of the appendicitis developing, the long wait of testing and the gas inside my chest after the surgery. I recovered from it really fast and i went home straight after the surgery.

Like some people have claimed, i was perfectly fine after a few days.

 

[Huff]

\

actually maybe dying might be easier.. an appendectomy in the US costs about $55,000.

people really dont understand medical costs and insurance

 

[colt45joe]

after surgery i had some complications with my stomach were i was not pooping or farting and so my stomach still hurt, and so they had to stick a tube thing up my nose and down my throat into my stomach to empty my stomach. so i was in the hospital for maybe 2 weeks and it was painful, and when i got home finally it was painful for quite a while.

 

[SephCast]

I had a laproscopic procedure. Mine hadn't burst yet. It wasn't that painful, more like it was really sore. The only major pain was right out of surgery when I woke up, but the meds took care of that pretty quick. Recovery isn't bad at all, but don't expect to be very mobile for the first week. The leftover gas in your stomach cavity really is the worst part. It feels like heartburn or something weird like is pushing up against your ribcage. Goes away within 2-3 days. First night back home, I actually slept sitting up in a la-z-boy because it was more comfortable (was on meds as well). Second week it gets better. I went back to work (office job) after about 2.5 weeks I believe. By 4 weeks you should be pretty close to normal, but I chose to not exercise until week 6.

 

[Xevren]

I wish mine cost 55k, granted I hit the worst luck lottery ever and nearly died because the surgeon fucked up. (500k)

 

[BassForever]

All things considered it's not bad, had it done to me in high school, the one thing you'll want to do is get moving again, yeah it'll hurt like a bitch but it's that or they'll have to get your bowls going by... other means and you don't want that

 

[Ether_Snake]

Why did so many of you have this? Scary. Good to know though, wouldn't want to shrug it off.

 

[reelbigtink]

That sounds completely made up, since I do these. Maybe $1000 for the surgeon fees, estimated $2-3000 for the facility fee, same fee for the hospital room. Then you have anesthesia and equipement but no way that comes to $50k for costs or payments. Now, if that is what some hospitals charge in the cat and mouse game of 'what does the insurance pay?'...eh but I still have trouble believing that's the costs charged.

Yeah, I had this surgery back in 2007 with no insurance and it ended up costing me ~$12k, including the ambulance ride.

Glad you got to it early, OP. I was sprawled out in the bathroom floor in the worst pain of my life before I managed to get to the ER.

 

[The Lamp]

Daughter 1.0's appendectomy had no complications and she was in the hospital less than 48 hours. Total bills: $26k, in 2010 dollars.

I'll post my bill when I get it. I was in and out from ER to going home after surgery in exactly 24 hours.

Why did so many of you have this? Scary. Good to know though, wouldn't want to shrug it off.

It apparently happens to about 1/15 people. Very common. Kinda like wisdom tooth removals.