TY - JOUR T1 - A patient's diary: episode 10 — post-operative check up JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 846 LP - 847 VL - 57 IS - 543 A2 - , Y1 - 2007/10/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/57/543/846.abstract N2 - This morning I went along to the surgery for my post-operative check up. It is just over 4 weeks since my unusually situated appendix was removed by Mr Cutler at the New Hospital. They treated me very well there, and probably saved my life. I was so fortunate to have a brilliant man like Mr Cutler available just when I needed him. The only problem is, being a busy man, much in demand, he had to rush away and did not have time to tell me about postoperative complications, several of which I had already begun to suspect. And after having someone's rubber-gloved fingers, however skilful and eminent, in your insides, in your very peritoneal cavity, you are bound to wonder: will things in there ever be the same again? Well they can't be, can they? No more appendix for one thing. Just a stump, like a little amputated limb.They say you can do without it because it has no function but I wonder if that can be true. Surely everything is there for a purpose? Also I wanted to know when it would be safe to resume normal activities. The scar looks fairly firm but I wouldn't like to strain it prematurely and open up a great yawning gap through which … The very thought makes me feel a little nauseous so I shall not pursue it. And it is still a bit painful, particularly at the lower end where there seems to be a kind of pulsating swelling, although Hilda says it's probably just a trick of the light. Anyway, I thought I should get a professional opinion just to be sure. … ER -