Should I have surgery?

I recently spent 4 days hospitalized because of diverticulitis with a microperforation.  They didn't end up doing the emergency surgery and were able to get my diverticulitis under control with a lot of IV antibiotics.  However, the doctors have recommended that I have the surgery on an elective basis in the next couple of months.  The theory is that I am only 34 years old and have a lot of diverticular disease for my age.  The surgeon is convinced that it is only a matter of time before I will need an emergency surgery.  He said that doing the surgery on an elective basis will prevent the need for a colostomy bag.  I have scheduled a second and third opinion for next week.  Does anyone have any suggestion on the types of questions I should be asking?  Also, are there any alternative treatments?  Any advice would be appreciated!

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Diverticulitis is relatively uncommon in patients less than 40 years old.
There is  a higher risk of recurrence or complication compared when with older
patients.
An elective segmental colectomy in a healthy young person is indicated after one well-documented episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis, because of the low risk of surgery and the high risk of recurrence and complication after nonoperative treatment of diverticulitis.
So an elective surgery is the best option.