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What Causes Numbness In Abdomen After An Appendectomy?
Question: I had an appendectomy 3 weeks ago by open surgery and I am still experiencing pain at the wound after moving about. Is this normal? I also have a numb feeling across my abdomen. I am not taking any medication. How long shoul recovery take?
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
3 weeks is very early after such surgery. So any pain in the wound area is usually nothing unusual. However this kind of surgery quite often causes hernia in the scar area. Hernia gives pain in the wound when coughing or lifting heavy objects. So if this pain has started after lifting something heavy and was not present right after the surgery, hernia is possible.
If the wound area is swollen and reddish, also fluid collection in it is possible.
Numbness across the abdomen is caused because of skin nerves injury during the surgery. This is very normal. Such feeling can be present even few months after a surgery however it should slowly get better.
If you find the pain is getting worse instead of getting better, I suggest you to consult your surgeon and have an ultrasound done of this area.
If its gradually getting better, you need to wait few more weeks for this pain to disappear.
And please remember to do not lift any heavy objects for 3 months after the surgery.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
3 weeks is very early after such surgery. So any pain in the wound area is usually nothing unusual. However this kind of surgery quite often causes hernia in the scar area. Hernia gives pain in the wound when coughing or lifting heavy objects. So if this pain has started after lifting something heavy and was not present right after the surgery, hernia is possible.
If the wound area is swollen and reddish, also fluid collection in it is possible.
Numbness across the abdomen is caused because of skin nerves injury during the surgery. This is very normal. Such feeling can be present even few months after a surgery however it should slowly get better.
If you find the pain is getting worse instead of getting better, I suggest you to consult your surgeon and have an ultrasound done of this area.
If its gradually getting better, you need to wait few more weeks for this pain to disappear.
And please remember to do not lift any heavy objects for 3 months after the surgery.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. My wound looks clean and there is no swelling or redness. Pain feels more like I have been doing constant sit ups and can be sharp if l sneeze or get up too quickly. I am also extremely tired after around 30 minutes of activity such as walking or light housework. Is the fatigue normal? I am desperate to be back to my old self so maybe my expectations are too high. How long would you think I should wait before swimming or any other exercise?
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Fatigue or pain when getting up to quickly are normal things after such surgery. Fatigue may last few more weeks. As long as you do not have fever, this is quite normal.
You should wait with physical activity around 3 months after the surgery. Swimming is a kind of physical activity which you can try 2 months after it.
Getting back to full activity is not easy and sometimes can last longer than we do expect. You may try to add probiotic to your diet. This should help a little with regeneration.
Regards.
.
Detailed Answer:
Fatigue or pain when getting up to quickly are normal things after such surgery. Fatigue may last few more weeks. As long as you do not have fever, this is quite normal.
You should wait with physical activity around 3 months after the surgery. Swimming is a kind of physical activity which you can try 2 months after it.
Getting back to full activity is not easy and sometimes can last longer than we do expect. You may try to add probiotic to your diet. This should help a little with regeneration.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for putting my mind at rest. I will have to resign myself to being a more patien patient! Will look into probiotics too. Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
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Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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