OpenHealth Q&A

Is It Normal to Experience Pain on Day 9 Post-Laparoscopic Appendectomy?

I am a 32-year-old female, standing at 4'11" and a non-smoker, who underwent surgery to remove my appendix nine days ago. Despite the time elapsed, I am still experiencing discomfort. Should I be anxious about this? Initially, I was diagnosed with chronic appendicitis, which is quite uncommon, as confirmed by a CT scan. During the procedure, my appendix was found to be mildly inflamed, and the surgical report indicated that there were no complications. After my surgery, I was admitted to the hospital for two nights where I dealt with significant pain related to gas and sensitivity in the area of the removed appendix. By day six, I noticed increased fatigue, although the pain was manageable. I continued to take my prescribed pain relief medication. On day seven, I began to experience painful pelvic cramps and muscle spasms in the pelvic region upon waking. I still felt gas shifting in my stomach, leading to discomfort that would subside after walking but would return each morning. These symptoms allowed me to reduce my pain medication intake to just a single dose of paracetamol. By day eight, I woke up with pelvic pain again, accompanied by a dull ache in my lower right back and cramping sensations slightly above the area where my appendix used to be. This pain could be alleviated by lying down or using a heat pad. Now it's day nine, and the aching in my right side and pelvic discomfort persists upon waking. Nevertheless, I feel relatively normal in the afternoon, although the appendix-related pain tends to re-emerge at night. My activity level has been quite low, resulting in not much walking throughout the day. I've taken two doses of paracetamol along with two ibuprofen to manage the pain. As for other symptoms, I do not have a fever, and there is no redness, swelling, or discharge from my incision sites. I only experience a slight nausea when the right-side pain intensifies, which is manageable when I lie down. My fatigue has lessened since day five, and my appetite is stable. I am having bowel movements about three times daily, which is more frequent than my usual once a day, but there are no signs of diarrhea or blood in my stool. Should I be worried? I was under the impression that the pain would steadily decrease each day, yet it seems to have escalated slightly over the last couple of days, particularly as I’ve been reducing my pain medication. My main concern revolves around the persistent ache in my right side.

Answers (1)

8/27/2025, 10:45:26 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel concerned about persistent pain following your laparoscopic appendectomy. While it's common to experience some discomfort post-surgery, there are a few important considerations regarding your symptoms on day nine.

Key Points:

• Persistent pain and discomfort nine days after surgery can be normal due to healing, but it’s crucial to monitor your symptoms.
• Your current symptoms, including pelvic cramps and right-sided aches, might be related to post-operative recovery, gas, or muscle tension.
• The lack of fever, redness, swelling, and stable bowel habits are positive signs, but increased pain or changes in symptoms warrant careful attention.

Explanation: After surgery, it’s normal to experience a range of symptoms as your body heals. Laparoscopic surgeries, while minimally invasive, can still lead to post-operative pain due to gas used during the procedure or irritation of surrounding tissues. The aches you're feeling could also be caused by increased activity, healing processes, or muscle strain from limited movement. The fact that your symptoms temporarily lessen with movement and heat suggests that some discomfort may stem from muscle tension or trapped gas.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep a detailed log of your pain levels, any new symptoms, and what seems to alleviate or worsen your discomfort.
2. Stay Active: Aim to gradually increase your walking and activity level. Gentle walking can help reduce gas buildup and promote healing.
3. Pain Management: Continue using over-the-counter pain medications as needed, but consider alternating between ibuprofen and paracetamol with rest as necessary to minimize ultimate dependency on medication.
4. Hydration and Diet: Ensure you’re well-hydrated and consuming balanced meals; this can help with digestion and aid in normal bowel function.
5. Heat Application: Continue using a heat pad on your abdomen or lower back to soothe discomfort, but ensure that the pads are at a safe temperature to avoid burns.

If your symptoms do not improve within the next few days, if you experience increased pain intensity, or if you develop new symptoms (like fever, significant changes in bowel movements, or unusual discharge), reach out for more focused medical advice to rule out any complications.

Your body is recovering from surgery, and while it can take time, being proactive about your symptoms and recovery can help ease your concerns. Let me know if you need further clarification or support!