Appendicitis Recovery Time - Ask Jeeves. An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, a tube about six inches long or less that. Usually increases in severity as time passes. However, length of hospital stay, length of overall recovery, and infection rates are reportedly. McBurney helped popularize the gridiron incision for appendectomy and, along . in reduced morbidity: decreased postoperative pain, decreased recovery time. 'The surgeon took one look at me and said I was very ill. My.