What Is the Recovery Time for Appendicitis Surgery?

Appendicitis surgery recovery time varies but typically takes about six weeks. Recovery from a laparoscopic appendectomy is quicker than healing after open surgery, which usually requires a hospital stay.

You'll need to take it easy for a few days after an appendectomy. You shouldn't drive or work for at least 48 hours after surgery. You also should avoid strenuous activity, exercising, and lifting anything heavy. Your surgeon will let you know when you can return to work.

This article discusses appendicitis surgery recovery time for both laparoscopic and open surgeries and explains pain management, incision care, and when to call your surgeon.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy Recovery

A minimally invasive laparoscopic appendectomy involves three small incisions, each about a 1/2-inch long, for the procedure. This typically makes for a shorter and less difficult appendectomy recovery timeline.

People who undergo an uncomplicated laparoscopic appendicitis surgery may be discharged from the recovery room after being monitored for a few hours. Prior to discharge, you will need to be able to:

• Drink: You should be allowed to drink clear liquids within a few hours of surgery.
• Eat: Once liquids are tolerated, you can begin eating solid foods.
• Walk: You'll be encouraged to get up and walk a few hours after laparoscopic surgery.

Once these milestones have been met, you will be discharged from the hospital. In some cases, you may be admitted to the hospital (typically overnight) if additional risk or complications arise.

Open Appendectomy Recovery

Open surgery requires a 2- to 4-inch incision in the lower abdomen, including the abdominal muscles. An open appendectomy will require a longer hospital stay than a laparoscopic procedure, so you will be admitted at least overnight as you receive IV fluids and pain medication.

You may have a thin plastic nasal tube inserted to allow for removal of fluids and air from the stomach. You won't be able to eat or drink until your bowel function is normal and the tube is removed. Then, you can take additional open appendectomy recovery steps:

• You'll have small sips of clear fluid to begin drinking and eating again.
• If that goes well, you'll progress to soft foods and, finally, a regular diet.
• Getting up to walk several times each day is important for recovery and discharge.

It's common for open appendectomy surgery to cause more pain than a laparoscopic procedure. You may need pain medication as you begin to walk after your abdominal muscle incision (cut).

Resuming Normal Activity

Returning to your normal routine after appendectomy will depend on the type of procedure, any risks or complications, and individual lifestyle factors. For example, you'll need to avoid lifting objects weighing more than 10 pounds, but the healing timeline is different for:

• Laparoscopic: at least three to five days
• Open surgery: at least 10 to 14 days 

How soon you can return to work or school will depend on your specific situation. If your job is physical and requires heavy lifting, you may be out for a few weeks. If you work remotely, you can work as soon as you feel ready. Children may need to avoid sports at school.

You may tire more easily, so plan the duration and time of day for activities.

Wound Care

Laparoscopic appendectomy incisions are typically closed with small sticky tape strips (Steri-Strips). Open appendectomies are usually closed with stitches or staples and covered with a sterile bandage to prevent infection.

Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on caring for your incision. Always wash your hands before and after touching the incisions. Avoid wearing tight or rough-textured clothing that could irritate the incisions.

In general, your wound care after appendectomy includes:

• Leaving the tape strips on your incision until they fall off by themselves
• Monitoring staples or stiches to ensure they're healing well. If your stitches need to be removed, your healthcare provider will give you information about when to come back for that.
• Keeping the dressing over the incision clean. Cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid (this serosanguineous discharge is normal in the first few days) or rubs against clothing. Change a bandage when it gets wet or dirty.
• Wash the site each day with warm water and regular soap, and then gently pat it dry.

Some people may have an incision large enough to require packing. Changing the dressing may hurt, so consider discussing pain medication with your healthcare provider before doing so.

You also will want to brace or splint your abdominal incision when you cough or bear down due to constipation after surgery. Pressing with your hand or a pillow will help you avoid pain and dehiscence (the reopening of the wound).

Managing Pain

Follow your surgeon's instructions for managing pain after an appendectomy. It may help to use a pillow as a splint over your abdomen. 

If your pain is mild, take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers as needed. These include: 

• Advil (ibuprofen)
• Aleve (naproxen)
• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Combogesic IV (acetaminophen and ibuprofen injection) 
  

In some cases, you may leave the hospital with a prescription for opioid painkillers, such as Percocet (oxycodone with acetaminophen). Opioids are very effective pain relievers. However, they are highly addictive, cause side effects including drowsiness or depressed breathing function, and should only be when necessary.

Note: Percocet also contains acetaminophen and should not be taken with other sources of acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) as liver damage can occur. Percodan tablets include acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), so talk with your healthcare provider about using these products.

When to Call Your Surgeon

Your healthcare provider will advise you to watch out for signs of infection and other problems. Call your surgeon's office if you experience any of the following:

• Severe abdominal pain, cramping, or swelling
• Pain that your medications are not making any better
• Difficulty breathing, constant coughing, or shortness of breath
• Fever greater than 101 degrees with or without chills
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or inability to drink or eat
• Redness, swelling, bleeding, or drainage of blood or pus from the incision site

Your digestive system should return to normal after your surgery but contact your healthcare provider if you cannot pass gas or stool for three days, or alternately, if you experience watery diarrhea.

Summary

Appendectomy surgery is common, with roughly 200,000 procedures in the United States each year. These surgeries are typically uncomplicated and often done in comparatively young and healthy people. Many people will go home the same day they have their appendectomy.

However, that will depend on whether your surgeon performs a laparoscopic or open appendectomy procedure. An open surgery takes longer to heal and most people stay in the hospital at least overnight. There also will be differences in how long recovery takes. Your healthcare team will make sure you know how to care for the wound, take pain medication, and begin your recovery.

A Word From Verywell

An appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures, with a low complication rate. Maintaining a decreased activity level, consuming a healthy diet, and ensuring adequate pain control will accelerate your recovery and return to previous activity levels.

— DAVID HAMPTON, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD