laparoscopy colon surgery

[ROSITA812]

I have diverticulitis for the past 6 years.  Las year I had to many episode of diverticulitis attack.  I looked for second opinion about surgery and their opinion is the same (surgery)  I will have my surgery on December 4, 2009 but it is my first surgery in my life.  I want to know what will be the procedure and recovery.  I'am 47 years old and a part of this condition and healthy women.

[Morecambe]

About five years ago I underwent a total colectomy for torrential diverticular bleeding and, in response to another Medhelp patient's posting, I shared my experience of the surgery on:-

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

You may like to print this off and show it to your surgeon and compare my observations with his/her expectations.  If indeed this is the operation that is contemplated for you, maybe it can be performed laparoscopically??

I also asked about the mortality rate and was told ~2%.  

Another suggestion - choose a surgeon and hospital who are "colo-rectal specialists" and who perform total colectomies frequently rather than a "general surgeon" who operates more widely on more minor matters such as hernias, appendicitis and
ingrowing toenails.

Hope this helps

regards
Morecambe