Lactose intolerance is a condition characterized by an inability to properly digest a form of sugar called lactose. The enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose, called lactase, comes from the cells that line your small intestine; you can develop lactose intolerance if you undergo bowel surgery that damages these cells. However, the surgical procedure called appendectomy affects the integrity of your large intestine, not your small intestine.
Lactose Intolerance Basics
Lactose in your diet comes from milk and other dairy products. Babies also get lactose from breast milk. When you consume these foods, you rely on lactase to break their lactose content down into two smaller sugar molecules, called galactose and glucose, which are pulled from your small intestine into your bloodstream. People with lactose intolerance don't make enough lactase to handle large amounts of lactose-containing foods. However, in most cases, they can handle small amounts of this sugar.
Appendectomy Basics
Appendectomy is used to remove the projecting, finger-like portion of your large intestine called the appendix. Typically, people undergo this procedure if they have or may have an inflammatory infection called appendicitis. During an appendectomy, your doctor will remove your inflamed appendix with traditional open surgery techniques or with a more modern, less invasive technique called laparoscopy. If you have appendicitis and don't undergo an appendectomy, your appendix can rupture and trigger a life-threatening infection of your entire abdominal region called peritonitis.
Small Intestine Damage
You may undergo surgery on your small intestine, or small bowel, if you have any one of a number of ailments or conditions, including precancerous growths, benign or cancerous tumors, direct intestinal injuries, intestinal blockages or inflammation-related damage resulting from Crohn's disease, ileitis or enteritis. Any surgical procedure in your small intestine can reduce your ability to produce lactase and trigger lactose intolerance. You can also develop lactose intolerance if bacterial or viral infections damage the lining of your small intestine, or if you have celiac disease or other intestinal problems.
Appendectomy Risks
The U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus states that the risks associated with an appendectomy are medication reactions or breathing problems related to the use of anesthesia, infection and bleeding risks common to all forms of surgery, and medication side effects and extended hospital stays resulting from treatment of a ruptured appendix. People without appendix ruptures typically leave the hospital within one to three days of an appendectomy and return to everyday activities within a period of two weeks to a month. If you have additional questions about lactose intolerance, small intestine surgery or appendectomy, talk to your doctor.
