diverticulitis elective surgery

[cookiedough]

anyone have their colon perforate, or rupture, and somewhat seal itself not needing surgery at first.  Then,  go to surgeon dr. to see after colon wall sealed itself up and get 'elective' surgery to remove the weakened colon section so it will not happen again?

In May had diverticulitis and colon sealed itself so not needing surgery ASAP.  Seeing surgeon Dr. today to ask questions and see if good idea to get elective surgery to remove few inches of my weakened colon in next month or so.  Also having her schedule a colonoscopy since LONG overdue she is surgeon for that as well.   I called back in May to schedule and was mid December so over 6 months out, but want it done in next few months as well.  She said she can get me in earlier than that, will see. 

Not a fan of surgeries only one I ever had was torn miniscus in knee, surgery 13 years ago.  I hope she says 98% chance of never coming back again if have elective surgery in that same area vs. say 50/50 chance of colon rupturing again if not have surgery.    My gut area in that bad area seems fine but every once in a while past 2 months can feel it tad funky in that area, not hurting at all, just funky, hard to explain. 

[scooperhsd]

DOn't have any advice for you, but I'm also getting an overdue colonoscopy / upper GI scope tomorrow. Today gets to be real fun balancing clear liquid diet and my diabetes.

[Serk]

So you'd go from having a : to just a ; ?

(Sorry had to)

If the odds are high of it happening again I'd lean heavily towards having the procedure. The human body is amazing at repairing itself, but sometimes needs a little help...

Thinking back to my RNY surgery, my plumbing was totally rerouted, stomach taken out of the loop other than as a source of stomach acid, all kinds of stuff, and given time it's all sorted itself out and is fine...

Obviously listen to the doctor more than folks on a motorcycle forum, but were I in your situation I'd heaviling lean towards having the surgery to avoid a repeat.

[John Schmidt]

So you'd go from having a : to just a ; ?
============================================================
OK Serk...I'm a little slow this morning, had to read it twice before catching on. 

[cookiedough]

good one Serk you very creative indeed.  

Met with Surgeon Dr. and she suggested holding off doing anything about removing colon until after my now scheduled Aug 2nd colonoscopy 1st one ever.    If she does not see anything wrong up there with my colon, then she suggested holding off on surgery unless experiencing issues since is 1st time.   I asked her on probability of happening again and she did not give any specifics, could be 2 weeks or 5 years, no rhyme or reason, just eat healthier more fiber, etc.  

she did recommend if feel the same way on left side like in May,  to NOT wait until next day to get an ambulance ride to ER since started on Tuesday, but by Wednesday next day mid-day was feeling darn bad.  The sooner go into Dr. to get possible CT scan and meds (pills-antibiotics) the less chance of colon to puncture and have emergency surgery having to make a trip to ER.  

I had no clue my colon was ruptured never had that feeling before but one symptom I had 2-3 days prior was no. #2 on the poddy being plugged up.    Hard to believe I had a 104 degree fever Wednesday afternoon did not feel that HOT but came on real bad ASAP at around 7 p.m. that Wednesday night.

So, I guess hope for the best Aug. 2nd colonoscopy and if something is found bad,  the sooner get treated the more chance of living longer.

If I do have same scenario a 2nd time around even if 2-3 years afterwards,  for sure doing elective surgery though.  Pretty serious surgery dr. said they remove 8-10 inches normally of colon making 5 one inch incisions on tummy and 4-5 days in hospital with 4-6 weeks of no heavy lifting.   Guess good thing if it did happen is loose some weight and 5 days off work. 

[Valkorado]

It's an God awful condition.  Don't believe I've never been so in so much pain as a full blown infection.  Like I mentioned to you in a pm awhile back, my particular situation is keeping me from pursuing surgery, because they've indicated that they'll yank my whole friggin' colon outta me!  I have a close friend who donated six diseased inches of his colon to the get better cause, and while recovery was not fun for him he doesn't regret doing it. If I were in that situation, I'd probably proceed with the surgery and get 'er done.

My (main) solution coping mechanism thus far has been dietary, and incorporating some supplements.  I have learned much over the years, but have to stay on my toes diet wise.  I'll try not to slip again and wolf down lemon poppyseed ice cream!     Or anything with tiny seeds like fig newtons, etc..  There are other things.  Doughy crap is not good, like thick pizza dough.  Enriched flour is evil, sugary donuts and crap. Yes fiber is good, but be careful with too much "barbed wire" fiber on a weakened colon.  Don't eat a half box of frosted shredded wheat at once (ask me how I know). I still discover new triggers from time to time, so I don't experiment with foods too much anymore and opt for what works for me.  I have knocked out a minor infection with anibiotics before it developed into hell on earth.

Supplement wise, the Curcumin with black pepper extract is very helpful for me.  It is an anti-inflammatory, and works multi-systemically (arthritis, etc.) but is great for GI inflammation.  Real black licorice can be soothing if you can handle it.

[cookiedough]

yah, got some curcumin as suggested and today just in case get plugged up again,  some myralax powder.   

gee thanks,  no donuts and no thick crust pizza - arghhhhhh.   OH yah,  been eating frosted mini wheats cereal for breakfast as well.  One would think fiber be good for me been 2 months almost now since all went downhill.

[Ramie]

When I had my prostrate surgery I wasn't worried about the surgery just the recovery.  I had a difficult couple of weeks but after that it's been all uphill for me so I'd bite the bullet and get to the recovering part.