Frequent bloating after appendectomy

[DelClose]

After persistant pain in my lower abdomen, I had a laparoscopic appendectomy 6 weeks ago (3 incisions, one at my belly button, on on the left side of my abdomen, and one on the left side just above my pelvis). They did a scan at the hospital and my appendix hadn't ruptured, but they confirmed appendicitis and removed my appendix the next day. While in hospital (2 days), I was given intravenous antibiotics, but when I went home I was not given antibiotics.

I took tylenol 3 and the recommended laxatives (polyethylene glycol) for a week after my surgery and started having normal bowel movements for a couple days. Two weeks after my surgery, I had stomach discomfort and diarrhea, but I thought I might have a stomach flu and waited for it to go away, which it did within 4 days.

My bowel movements have mostly returned to normal, but I now experience almost daily severe bloating. It is most frequent in the mornings and very uncomfortable. I thought that the antibiotics I was given might have negatively affected my gut bacteria (especially because I had done a 10 day course of antibiotics for strep throat a month before my appendectomy) so I have been taking probiotics for the last two weeks. The probiotics do not seem to have helped much.

In case it is relevant, I am vegan (I have been for over 5 years) and eat a lot of beans and a moderate amount of cruciferous veg (cabbage, broccoli, etc.). I know that FODMAPS can be problematic for some people, but this has been my normal way of eating without issue for years prior to my appendicitis.

I have no idea what is going on or what I should do to relieve the daily bloating. I also found out that there was a carcinoid tumour inside my appendix (near the tip)' but was advised that it was less than a cm, benign, and that I shouldn't worry about it since it had been removed with my appendix.

[Anaybrown]

How are feeling now? I am in the same boat! Bloating is unbelievable after 2 weeks, wondering how long it will last. (BTW I am also vegan)

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  We're sorry you are having this situation after your surgery.  Please know that swelling and bloating can last for several weeks after surgery.  It's more common with open surgery but can result during laparoscopic surgery as well.  Here's an older post here at medhelp in which someone had bloating for 4 months after surgery. https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Gastroenterology/Bloating-and-Hardness-4-months-after-laproscopic-appendectomy/show/751934  Hopefully that is not the case for you and you can get it resolved sooner.  Please speak to your surgeon for guidance.

Here's a guide as well regarding appendectomy and complications that can happen.    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323805#possible-complications-and-long-term-risks  Things to rule out are infection at the incision site.  Or intestinal obstruction.  Those two things are common reasons for bloating and pain post surgery.  Another thing to ask your doctor about is taking a good probiotic to help with gut health.  This may be of benefit to you as well!