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Appendix Removal services offered in Houston, TX
Appendix removal is usually an emergency operation to treat appendicitis, an infection of the appendix. Daniel Lee Howell, Jr., MD, FACS and Terah Isaacson, MD, FACS, of Bayou City Surgical Specialists in Houston, Texas, perform appendix removal using the most advanced techniques. Call today or schedule a consultation online. The surgical practice is transparent about pricing, giving you the cost of care before proceeding.
What is the appendix?
The appendix is a tiny organ attached to the large intestine and located on the lower right side of the abdomen. The purpose of the appendix is unclear and usually doesn’t cause any problems.
Appendix removal, also called an appendectomy, is a procedure that removes the appendix. Because it doesn’t have a specific role, you can live without an appendix.
Who needs appendix removal?
Anyone experiencing problems with their appendix may need appendix removal. Appendicitis is inflammation and swelling of the appendix and may occur when debris, stool, or a foreign object, blocks the tiny organ. The infection may cause the appendix to rupture, allowing waste to spill into the abdominal cavity.
Appendicitis symptoms vary but usually cause abdominal pain around the belly button or upper part of the abdomen that radiates to the right. You may also have a fever, a change in bowel movements, or nausea and vomiting.
You should go to the emergency room (ER) right away if you suspect you have appendicitis. The emergency room doctors can determine the risk of rupture and make treatment recommendations. Appendix removal is the primary treatment for appendicitis.
You may need surgery right away or soon after an ER visit.
What happens during appendix removal?
Bayou City Surgical Specialists may perform a laparoscopic or an open appendix removal procedure.
Open appendix removal
During an open appendix removal, the surgeon makes an incision through your abdomen to gain access to the appendix to remove it.
Laparoscopic appendix removal
A laparoscopic appendix removal is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny incisions and a laparoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see the appendix without the need for a large incision). They use tiny surgical instruments to remove the organ.
The approach your surgeon uses depends on the severity of your appendicitis.
How long is recovery from appendix removal?
Recovery following appendix removal varies. Most people are back to their usual activities following appendix removal within a couple of weeks.
You can expect some pain immediately after your surgery and may start on a liquid diet 24 hours after your procedure, slowly advancing to a regular diet as tolerated. You also need to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting during recovery.
Do you need appendix removal? Call Bayou City Surgical Specialists today or schedule an appointment online.