Do i need surgury for diverticulitis

Is surgury required for diverticulitis?

[Sue357]

Hi.  I ended up having surgery ( colon resection-surgeon removed 7 inches of my sigmoid colon) after multiple episodes which where not responding to antibiotics.  I ended up developing so much scar tissue that my colon was closing up.  However, I have met and spoken here to others who take the antibiotics and it clears up.  I know my gi started suggesting surgery after the 3rd attack but I had never had surgery and sure didn't want that.  However, last Christmas Eve I had my last attack and ended up in the hospital for 5 days.  That's when I decided to have the surgery.  I had it in Jan of this year.  I would definately talk with doc or docs ( second opinion) before having it as it is an invasive surgery.  But, while my recovery has been slower than I thought, I am finally starting to get back to normal.  I have found that the recovery time varies by person, too.  I hope I helped as I don't want to scare you.   Best to get medical opinion and options before doing anything.

[Morecambe]

Nearly five years ago I underwent a total colectomy for torrential diverticular bleeding which is a more drastic development than yours.  However, if you do wish to consider surgery then you might like to log on to:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

in this posting I described my own experiences to another Medhelp patient.

Hope this might help - not so much to suggest whether surgery is/is not appropriate - but to give you a personal experience if you do decide to "go under the knife"!!

regards
Morecambe