Pain three weeks after appendix surgery

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had surgery on my appendix 3 weeks ago and im getting really bad pains still in my right groin and just under the incision point (I had no stitches). The pain comes and goes although it is particulary bad when i eat or go to the toilet. I dont think this pain is normal as i was told full reocvery is 4 weeks and im still in a lot of pain. I sometimes have to hunch over when im walking or put pressure on the pain to make it not as bad. Im hoping its not a twisted bowel or the like. I was on laxatives as i thought it was because of slow bowel movements post surgery, but my bowels have now returned to normal. please help.

Dear Melissa: Your symptoms may be related to adhesions. Adhesions are fibrous bands which develop between the loops of intestines and between the intestines and the inner abdominal wall. It is normal after any surgical procedure to develop ahesions. One complication of adhesions is that they can cause the intestines to twist which can cause great pains and may even require surgery at times to relieve the twisting. Adhesions may also cause recurrent abdominal pain which is not severe enough to require hospital care but can still be quite significant.

Another explanation for your syptoms could be a complication directly related to your recent appendectomy such as an infection. You should return to your surgeon and allow him to perform the necessary test to ascertain the casue of your pain.