Abdominal swelling after an appendectomy

Temporary inflammation, reduced movement, constipation and gas used during keyhole surgery can contribute to fullness. A swelling that is new, localised, firm, progressively larger or accompanied by other symptoms should not be assumed to be routine healing.

General bloating that gradually settles can reflect slowed bowel activity, medicines or postoperative gas. Puffiness close to an incision can reflect tissue inflammation or a small fluid collection. The pattern over time and associated symptoms help distinguish these from a problem requiring treatment.

Increasing distension can occur with bowel obstruction or ileus. A painful bulge near an incision can reflect a hernia, while redness, drainage, fever or deepening pain can occur with wound infection or an internal collection. Bleeding is another concern when swelling accompanies weakness, dizziness or collapse.

Follow the surgeon's instructions for walking, lifting, wound care, food, fluids and bowel medicines. Compare the swelling with your recent baseline rather than repeatedly pressing the abdomen. Record whether it is general or around one incision and note pain, temperature, vomiting, bowel movements, passing gas and wound discharge.

Contact the surgical team if swelling is not following the expected recovery pattern, if a new lump appears, or if constipation continues despite the plan they provided. Do not start a compression garment, laxative or strenuous abdominal exercise solely to treat the swelling without checking that it is appropriate after your operation.

Seek urgent medical assessment for rapidly worsening abdominal swelling, severe or escalating pain, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, fever with worsening abdominal symptoms, spreading wound redness, pus, wound separation, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty or a rigid abdomen.

Use the hospital's emergency contact instructions if they were provided. Call emergency services for collapse, marked breathing difficulty or severe deterioration. These warnings are based on the postoperative symptom pattern and require timely evaluation whatever the eventual cause.

Ask what amount and location of swelling fits your operation, which wound changes should be photographed or reported, how medicines may affect the bowel, when lifting restrictions change and whether examination or imaging is needed for a persistent bulge.