Does appendicitis surgery leave scars?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 22, 2025
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Appendectomy surgery leaves scars due to cutting the skin on the body surface, and then the scars heal. Currently, there is a minimally invasive treatment available; it involves using laparoscopic technology to remove the appendix. This requires making three small incisions on the body surface, resulting in smaller scars, and postoperative recovery is relatively quick. Those who have cosmetic concerns may choose this method. Additionally, postoperative care should be enhanced, including regular dressing changes for the incision. Generally, stitches can be removed a week after the surgery. Attention should be paid to dietary adjustments, such as consuming more vegetables to prevent constipation. Once gastrointestinal function has returned, nutritional intake should be increased by eating more meats and eggs to strengthen the body and promote recovery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can you drink alcohol with appendicitis?

Having appendicitis absolutely prohibits drinking alcohol, as alcohol can stimulate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, causing appendicitis to worsen. For appendicitis, active treatment is necessary. During the acute phase, one should not eat anything. In the postoperative recovery or convalescence phase, a semi-liquid or liquid diet can be appropriately chosen. Currently, surgery is the predominant method for treating appendicitis, with laparoscopic appendectomy being a common procedure. This surgical method involves minimal bleeding during the operation and faster postoperative recovery, characterizing it as a minimally invasive treatment. Postoperative care should be enhanced, with increased water intake and more vegetables to prevent constipation.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Postoperative diet for acute appendicitis

Postoperative diet for acute appendicitis should be taken with special attention. On the day of the surgery, no food should be consumed. After waiting for anal gas to pass, which typically occurs on the first day post-surgery, a semi-liquid diet can be chosen, consisting of easily digestible foods such as rice porridge, millet congee, and vegetable soup. From the third to the fifth day post-surgery, a normal diet can be resumed, including eating eggs and meat to supplement proteins and dietary fibers, which help the incision heal. Vegetables and fruits should also be consumed to prevent constipation. Additionally, proper care should be taken of the incision site, including regular dressing changes.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis surgery hurt?

Appendectomy is performed under either epidural or general anesthesia, so the procedure is completely painless. However, postoperatively, as the anesthesia wears off, there may be slight pain at the incision site. Painkillers can be taken if the pain is intolerable. Additionally, close monitoring of vital signs is important postoperatively. Regular dressing changes at the surgical site and dietary control are required. For the first one to two days after surgery, a semi-liquid diet is recommended. From the third to the fifth day, patients can gradually transition to a normal diet. Furthermore, consuming high-protein foods can enhance nutrition and promote healing of the incision.

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Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
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Early symptoms of appendicitis

What are the initial symptoms of appendicitis? It is characterized by abdominal pain. The main symptom is abdominal pain that appears around the upper abdomen or navel, and some patients may also experience nausea and vomiting. Generally, two to three hours later, the abdominal pain gradually shifts to the lower right abdomen, which we clinically refer to as migratory right lower abdominal pain. This symptom accounts for about 80% of clinical cases, while some patients present directly with pain in the lower right abdomen, without transitional abdominal pain. Therefore, the primary symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain, as described in these two scenarios. However, physical examination is also very important, typically revealing localized fixed tenderness in the lower right abdomen as the main clinical manifestation.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute appendicitis pain is on that side.

In the initial stages of acute appendicitis, pain can occur in the left side of the abdomen, then gradually move around the navel, and eventually becomes fixed in the lower right abdomen. The typical symptom of appendicitis is migratory pain in the lower right abdomen, which becomes severe upon pressing and intensifies when lifted, a phenomenon known as rebound tenderness. A small number of patients may experience pain in the lumbar and back areas, which could be due to inflammation caused by a retroperitoneal position. Based on the typical symptoms of appendicitis, a diagnosis cannot be confirmed. After confirmation, most cases require an appendectomy.