The appendix is a small pouch attached to the large bowel. When it becomes blocked and inflamed, it can burst within a day or two — so appendicitis needs prompt treatment.
Laparoscopic appendectomy removes the appendix through small incisions. Compared with open surgery it means less pain, a lower chance of wound infection and a faster recovery.
Warning signs of appendicitis
- Pain that starts around the belly button and moves to the lower right abdomen
- Pain that worsens when you walk, cough or press on the area
- Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
- Fever
Severe or worsening abdominal pain with fever or vomiting needs urgent assessment. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 108.
What I offer
Laparoscopic appendectomy
Removal of the inflamed appendix through small incisions, usually with a short hospital stay.
Diagnostic laparoscopy
When the cause of abdominal pain is unclear, a camera examination can find problems that scans might miss — and often treat them in the same sitting.
What to expect
01Consultation
We listen, examine you and go through your reports and scans. A first visit usually takes 20–30 minutes, and family members are welcome.
02Tests and a clear plan
If more information is needed, we arrange blood tests or scans. Then we explain your options in plain language — including whether you need surgery at all.
03Surgery, if needed
Most operations are done by keyhole. Before the day you'll know what to expect: the procedure, anaesthesia, hospital stay and insurance paperwork.
04Recovery at home
You go home with clear instructions on food, activity, medicines and warning signs, plus a patient guide for common operations.
05Follow-up
A check-up to review healing and any biopsy results, and to clear you for your normal routine.
Common questions
What makes laparoscopic surgery different from "open" surgery?
Traditional open surgery is like opening the entire bonnet of a car to change a spark plug. Laparoscopic surgery is like reaching in through a small opening with specialised tools.
Open surgery: a 6–10 inch incision, longer anaesthesia, a 5–7 day hospital stay, 4–6 weeks of recovery and a significant scar.
Laparoscopic surgery: 3–4 tiny incisions (each usually under 1 cm), shorter anaesthesia, a same-day or 1–2 day hospital stay, 1–2 weeks of recovery and minimal, barely visible scars.
A high-definition camera and specialised instruments let us perform the same operation with far less trauma to your body.
Is laparoscopic surgery as safe as traditional surgery?
For most abdominal conditions, laparoscopic surgery is actually safer than open surgery:
- Smaller incisions mean a lower infection risk
- Less blood loss during surgery
- Faster recovery means less time for complications
- A shorter hospital stay lowers the risk of hospital-acquired infection
Not every case can be done laparoscopically. If your anatomy is complex or there are significant adhesions from previous surgery, we may need to convert to open surgery during the operation. This is uncommon, but always a possibility.
Bottom line: laparoscopy is the standard of care for most abdominal surgery when performed by experienced surgeons.
Will I be completely asleep during surgery?
Yes. The abdominal surgeries I perform are done under general anaesthesia, which means you are completely unconscious, you feel nothing and you have no memory of the procedure. A breathing tube supports your breathing and is removed before you wake up.
You'll meet the anaesthesiologist before surgery. They'll review your medical history and answer any questions about anaesthesia.
Endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) is different — it is usually done under light sedation.
What are the risks of surgery?
Every surgery carries risks, and you deserve to know them.
Common, and usually minor: temporary nausea from anaesthesia, shoulder-tip pain from the gas used in laparoscopy (settles in 24–48 hours), mild pain or a minor infection at the incisions, and tiredness for the first week.
Uncommon but serious: bleeding that needs treatment, injury to nearby organs such as the bowel or bile duct, blood clots in the legs or lungs (early walking helps prevent these) and complications of anaesthesia.
Your personal risk depends on your condition and overall health. We discuss it openly at your consultation, before you decide anything.