One Year Without an Appendix

Just over 1 year ago, I had my appendix removed in the middle of my beach family reunion. While it certainly wasn’t the best time or place to lose an organ, the hospital was great, I experienced time travel, and Megan was super helpful in carrying all our luggage on the trip home.

For the first few weeks, I felt really bloated, I struggled on the toilet, and the staples in my belly went from gruesome to painful. But then all of that passed, and I felt much better.

For the first few months, I was very intentional with how I worked out and moved. The doctor told me I couldn’t lift over 10 pounds for 3+ months, but I do core workouts every day, and it quickly wasn’t an issue. I traveled to Japan wearing a heavy backpack and was just fine.

For the rest of the year, things were almost entirely back to normal. I can eat anything and exercise just as I did before the surgery. I still instinctively touch the main scar, but I don’t think I’m at risk for a hernia.

In the long term, I’ve heard that I have a slightly higher risk of colon cancer now that I don’t have the filter of my appendix. I’m coming up on my first colonoscopy (sometime next year when I’m 45), so I’ll talk to the doctor about that and assess the risk.

Overall, while I definitely wouldn’t recommend an appendectomy, in a small way I have the piece of mind that I’ll never need one again!

If you’ve had any health issues over the last few years, how are you doing? I hope your recovery is going well.