What should you know about dark urine after appendectomy?

After surgery, people may drink less because of nausea, pain, sleepiness, or temporary bowel symptoms. Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and sweating can further concentrate urine. Pain medicines and other medicines may also affect how you feel or, less commonly, urine colour. Dark brown or tea-coloured urine, yellowing of the eyes, or pale stools raises a different concern than deep yellow urine. Burning, frequent small amounts, lower abdominal pain, or blood may indicate a urinary problem. The operation itself does not make every colour change expected.

Follow the discharge plan and take regular small drinks if you are allowed to do so. Do not exceed a fluid restriction, and do not use leftover antibiotics or alter prescribed pain medicine without advice. Check your temperature if you feel feverish, inspect the wound, and note urine volume, colour, pain, vomiting, and bowel symptoms. Call the surgical team or treating hospital if the urine stays dark or you cannot drink enough. They can decide whether examination, urine testing, or blood tests are needed.

Seek urgent care for fainting, confusion, severe or increasing abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine, breathing difficulty, or a wound that is rapidly red, swollen, or draining. Prompt review is also needed for fever, yellowing, visible blood, or cola-coloured urine.

Ask how much fluid is suitable for you, whether your medicines can change urine colour, and which wound, abdominal, or urinary symptoms should trigger same-day review.