divertiticulitis

hello, thank for the advice in advance. my mother was diagnosed with divertiticulitis back in 2005 when she had an attack. ever since then she has had abdomianl pain. finally in 2007 her physician advised her to go to a doctor that specializes in divertiticulitis. he sent my mother to have a colonoscopy and a gastrographing done. when she went to have her colonoscopy done they said her large intestine was to inflammed that she couldn't have the colonoscopy done. the doctor said that the gastrographing procedure confirmed that she had divertiticulitis and that she had to have a sectional colonectomy. what i found wierd is that the a couple of weeks before the operation is that she was having normal bowel movements but still having pain. shouldn't the inflammed intestine cause bits and pieces of feces like she was having before? after the operation he told me that he cut about 6-7 inches of her large intestine near the sigmoid. i felt confident that this operation would take care of the problem. but it has been about 2 months now since the operation and my mother still has abdominal pain. not in the same area but pretty close, and the pain is not as intense as before, yet the pain is persistant. we told the doctor about the pain but he says this is normal. her bowel movements are normal. the doctor told us for my mother to drink metalmucil and to eat her normal servings of vegtables. my question to you is if this situation is normal? should she still have pain after the operation? is this pain going to last for a good amount of time? how long does the pain usually last? should i go to another doctor and get a second opinion or should i just wait it out and see if the pain remains? the doctor has not ordered my mother to get another colonoscopy or any other type of follow up procedure. if you do recommend a second opinion who do you recommend. i am located in san jose california. thank again for any advice anybody might have.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is difficult to comment on these questions without being involved in the case.

The pain can be related to the surgery, or it is possible that the surgery did not completely take care of the diverticulitis.

Another CT scan to exclude inflammation or colitis, or a colonoscopy can be done to further investigate the bowel.  

If negative, optimizing treatment for irritable bowel can also be done - but I would perform the aforementioned tests first before going down this route.

I would indeed inquire about another opinion, preferably at a major academic medical center.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[joycenorman]

How can i get a list of the surgical instruments used during large bowel resection for diverticulitis?  I have tried every website and still have nto found theis information.  Please advise.

Thanks.

Joyce Norman