Q: I had undergone an appendicitis (open surgery) operation and it has now been 1 1/2(one and a half) years since then. But I still feel some pain around the operated area. Yesterday, when I was trying to do some stretching exercise the pain was excruciating. What could be the problem? Please advice.

A:After surgery the operated site sometimes catches a nerve, causing recurrent pain of the sort you describe. This effect is unpredictable. The options are: Bear it for another 6 months, and hope that it will decrease (recommended). Get a surgeon to explore the wound under general anesthesia, and redo the wound. Occasionally acupuncture, acupressure techniques help (very occasionally!). You should get a surgeon to carefully check for a developing hernia, however.