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After Laparoscopic Appendectomy (Appendix Removal)

You have had a surgery to remove your appendix. The appendix is a narrow pouch attached to the lower right part of your large intestine. During your surgery, the healthcare provider made 2 to 4 small cuts (keyhole incisions). One was near your belly button. The others were on other parts of your belly. Through 1 incision, the healthcare provider inserted a thin tube with a camera attached (laparoscope). Other surgery tools were used in the other incisions.

While you recover you may have pain in your shoulder and chest for up to 48 hours after surgery. This is common. It is caused by carbon dioxide gas used during the surgery. It will go away. 

Robot-assisted appendectomy

A robot-assisted appendectomy, like laparoscopic appendectomy, is performed through keyhole incisions (cuts) on the abdomen (belly). Unlike laparoscopic appendectomy, this type of surgery is performed by the surgeon through robotic arms and a 3-D camera. The robotic arms provide better precision while the 3-D camera gives clearer imaging of the inside of the abdomen. Similar to a laparoscopic procedure, robotic surgery involves less blood loss and pain along with a faster recovery. The surgeon operates the robotic arms, views the images, and moves through the body cavity at a console. Since the surgeon sits at the console, they feel less fatigue and there are fewer fatigue-related risks during the surgery. The robotic arms also have the advantage of a better range of motion compared to the laparoscopic surgical instruments.

Home care

  • Keep your incisions clean and dry.

  • Don't pull off the thin strips of tape covering your incision. They should fall off on their own in a week or so.

  • Wear loose-fitting clothes. This will help cause less irritation around your incisions.

  • You can shower as normal. Gently wash around your incisions with soap and water. Don’t take a bath until your incisions are fully healed and your healthcare provider says it's OK.

  • Don’t drive until you have stopped taking prescription pain medicine, and your surgeon says it's OK

  • Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

  • Limit sports and strenuous activities for 1 or 2 weeks or as guided by your healthcare provider..

  • Resume light activities around your home as soon as you feel comfortable.

What to eat

Eat a bland, low-fat diet (listed below) at first. If that goes down well, you can gradually begin a regular diet.

  • Well-cooked soft cereals

  • Mashed potatoes

  • Plain toast or bread

  • Plain crackers

  • Plain pasta

  • Rice

  • Cottage cheese

  • Pudding

  • Low-fat yogurt

  • Low-fat milk

  • Ripe bananas

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, unless directed otherwise. If you are constipated, take a fiber laxative or a stool softener. Pain medicines can cause constipation. Try not to strain to move your bowels.

When to call your healthcare provider 

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

  • Swelling, pain, fluid, or redness in the incision that gets worse

  • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

  • Belly (abdominal) pain that gets worse

  • Severe diarrhea, bloating, or constipation

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Leg swelling

Call 911 right away if you have the following:

  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath