DIET

[Jayme]

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in August & hospitalized and on antibiotics & fluids for 4 days.
I have had 2 minor flare ups since then.  I am getting conflicting advice as to whether to have the damaged portion of my colon removed. (From 2 diff. surgeons). I am going to the 3rd surgeon this week. My Gastroenterologist said that no special diet was required and to eat anything I liked! (NOT what I have been told by others)!!
Then one surgeon asked me was I sticking to "my diet"!!!  ?????
I would gladly start a strict diet and stay on it to avoid any type of surgery....thats for sure.
I have had two storys told to me about the surgery as well...One DR told me that they could do it laprascopically...The next told me that I would have an incision from my breast bone to my pubic area!! HELP!!!!!  I am a 45yr old woman in good health otherwise.
Any advice would be appreciated.  They did both say that it would be better to do the surgery "electively" before the damaged portion of the colon rips, then I'm in trouble.
If it is possible, could you e-mail me at ***@**** ??
Thanks!!
jayme

[MARY ANN]

hi jayme, i had diverticulitis, and on sept 20th 2001 i had surgery to remove the damage portion of my colon. the first question i have is, did they tell you how extensive and severe your diverticulitis is? if they seemed concerned about the colon tearing because of the weakend areas from the diverticulas .this tells me you no doubt will need to have surgery .the thing you want to do is make sure the surgeon you go with is a specialest in colon surgery ask if he or she is  board certified .the surgery i had was traditional surgery(open surgery) .and they did not go all the way to my breast bone .it was approx 2 inches above my navel and they went down to the middle of my  pubic area.my next question is this on your left side or right? and if it is on your left did they inform you if it was in the lower section or upper section of the colon.please reply back i will try to answer any you may have. by the way my surgery seems to have turned out quite well (so far so good).rather they should deside to do traditional surgery (open surgery)or laparoscopic surgery is normally based on each patients case and the fact is even if they do laparoscopic surgery if something comes up that cant't be handled through laparoscopic surgery they will have to do the open surgery regardless .here is a site for the laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery ( www.sls.org )it should also have the info you need on open invasive surgery. god bless.                                mary ann

[MARY ANN]

i forgot to respond to the diet, i am no doubt not the best person to ask because they put me on a high  fiber diet and it like to bent me over with pain from gas etc. .but i always say each to his own . i realy don't know how to advise you in that area other than they say a high fiber diet is best for the patient with diverticulitis but i have spoken with a few patients that could argue that pointincluding myself.good luck

[Jayme]

Thank you for your reply.  I hope I dont forget to answer all of your questions.....The worst of the diverticulitis IS on the lower left side. They ARE concerned about the weakened area tearing if left alone. I am scared to death.
Thank you so much for that website, I will check it out when I am done writing.
The second surgeon did tell me that he could START the procedure Lapiscopically (?) and he may have to finish it with the big incision if somethign comes up. You dont know how much your
reply meant to me.
Thanks again!
jayme

[MARY ANN]

i am glad i could help in some small way. i know how scared you are at this point, and i know if you keep faith in god you will be fine .you said that most of the diverticulitis is on the left side(which is good ) did they say anything about your sigmoid.and if so how severe was it ? the reason why i am asking you this is because mine was on the left. they removed (1)foot of my colon there is (5')total) and they did not have to attach a temporary colostomy  bag.i want you to know so you do not worry most people do not have one after surgery even though it is always possible, it is normaly not the case .be sure to talk to your doctor about all of your concerns so they don't scare the hell out of you once it is over.the most important thing is to keep the area clean and do not take baths (only showers )until your doctor gives the ok .do not lift any wait or vacume until your given the ok.they should provide you with all your pre opp prep instructions.i am curious as to how old you are and if they found any thing wrong with the right colon.have they told of a date they wanted to do the surgery yet or are they awaiting your answer ? mary ann

[Jayme]

Goodmorning
Thankfully, the colonoscopy showed nothing. I am going to another surgeon this Thurs, for another opinion.  They did tell me that the chances of having a colostomy are slim to none, and you are right, I AM scared to death.
But they said if this does tear, then I should be prepared to buy shoes to match my bag for the rest of my life! :)
So they really want to do this electively.  I am 45yrs old. (I think you asked me my age).....
He told me after the surgery I couldnt do anything strenuos for at least 6 wks.  And we have an 85lb German Shepherd...but he said no dog walking for ME! My husband has a yearly colonoscopy to remove polyps and he told me last night (which I didnt know)..that his Dr is a colol-rectal surgeon.  So I think we should give him a call. But I am first going to this surgeon on Thurs, cause I love & trust him & I want his opinion. Even though HE couldnt do the surgery as he is in another town.
AND we are in the middle of selling our condo & buying a house and now THIS has to happen!!!!!!  Added stress!!
Well have a good day!
jayme

[MARY ANN]

jayme, if i were you i would take the time to deside and give them a answer you do not want this to rupture .i know it is not easy to do this .but your at a great age for full recovery i am 42 so please do not put this off due to fear .the fear will pass but if your colon ruptures it may not .see the other surgeon and then get strong and do what is best for your health and well being . god bless. mary ann

[tonym239]

Hi I had digestive and stomach problem also,my advice would be to try the diet,if you dont need to have the operation right away,try the diet to see if that works first before under going a major operation.But,be sure to get on the proper diet for your condition,you need to see a nutritionalist and tell him what your medical condition is.he may also want to give you a few supplements for your condition.Diet and exercise is working good for me.Hope you feel better soon.

[MARY ANN]

i think jayme's major problem is the diverticulas have  caused the colon wall to become to thin and the specialest are afarid the areas will rupture and if they  rupture it will cause a great deal more problems than she is presently fased with .once the colon ruptures she will have emergency surgery with out question.and the only diet that is recomended for this condition is a high fiber diet believe me i know i tried everything in the book before i had colon surgey not to mention the amount of reading upon the subject i did prior to surgery. the diet is worth trying if you are not as far gone as i was or as she may be considering they are afarid her colon is going to burst.she may not have the time you are speaking of .this is not to say that your advice is not well taken ,it is just different patient of diverticulitis have different medical needs.and this is a very touchy place jayme is in .jayme until you deside to do the surgery or not be sure to stay away from nuts ,popcorn tomatoe,products,and products with seeds in them.they get in the pouches and become loged inside causing more infection and disconfort also it could cause a puncture.god bless