I am an otherwise healthy 52 yr. old female and have just experienced my third attack of ischemic colitis. I have been hospitalized with all three bouts, they have been identical in symptoms and diagnosis each time via colonoscopy. My problem area is the "watershed" area, just below the spleen. All three times the ischemic attack has been in exactly the same area of colon and is thought to involve about 6-8" of colon. After the second attack, I was told that if it occurred a third time I could expect a bowel resection. Now that the third attack has occurred, my GI Dr., PCP, and a general surgeon have all agreed that it is time to consider surgery and have presented the scenario that waiting could be somewhat dangerous. I am feeling particularly worried about the surgery, as the surgeon who would perform it presented all of the possible complications and for some reason, I am focused on the cons of the surgical process more than I seem to be able to focus on the cons of waiting to do it. I appear to be having difficulty healing this time, as the attack was a week ago and until this evening, was still unable to retain fluids or food of any type, including clear liquids. I seem to be somewhat better tonight, in that I have retained both water and Ensure, for the first time in a week, but the surgeon and I agreed that I would make a decision by tomorrow morning about whether to have the surgery this coming week or not. I want to be absolutely certain that I truly do need to have this surgery and that I am not rushing into something so serious. Am I at risk for having even more ischemic attacks? Is each recurrent attack more dangerous? If I have the bowel resection, will I be able to eventually eat normally again, or will I forever be limited in what I can eat? The length of hospital stay (one week) and recovery time (6-8 wks) is daunting and I would like to avoid it if it makes any sense. I would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts on my situation. I have had several prior surgeries of other types and have never been so worried as I am about this one. Thanks.