sigmoid colon removal

[bissy]

I'm lost. I have diverticulitis that didn't respond to first course of antibiotics. Second round helped. September cat scan showed moderate sigmoid diverticulitis and simple liver cysts and small fluid collection with mild rim enhancement above bladder. On October ct scan there is less inflammatory but persistent thickened loop of sigmoid colon and persistant mild
diverticulitis. I have sigmoid colon removal surgery scheduled soon. Am I making the right choice? Gastroenterologist seemed sure... Surgeon is leaving it up to me.I still have small amount of daily pain and bowel movements are often long snake shaped. Help

[creilly28]

I'm almost where you are.  I have 4 bouts of diverticulitis in the last two years.  My GI guy is suggesting that I have the surgery and I have appointments with two in the coming weeks.

I have spoken to several people that have had the surgery and have had success.  You have to make your own decision but I think if you have continued pain and episodes of diverticulitis, it is important to get it taken care of before more serious complications occur.

[bissy]

Thanks for the advice. It's great to know that I'm not the only one out there. Pain has really increased in last 2 days. I will see another surgeon this week just for a second surgical opinion.Surgery is next week.

[colitissufferer]

see comments for the entry by "kitty's mom" and the post dated 12/18 by me.  i'd apply the same advice to you b4 surgery incase an alternative exists.  it's only an opinion.  but regardless of your surgery, you are going to have to make some major changes in diet and lifestyle anyways.  otherwise the problem will return.
why not see if these changes made today could make the difference entirely.
alternative medical dr.'s need stool and blood to view u'r cell make up.  then perscribe course of treatment with little or no side affects.  probiotices, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal diet.
it's the most seemless treatment as opposed to the drastice alternative.
i blead for almost 3yrs under treatment of gi dr. who told me i had slight case of colitus.  who bleeds for three yr and calls anything slight?
not i, and no longer bitter.  in control and educated now.  happiness is now in the midst.  realize this is all new info.  take care whichever u'r choice is.

[colitissufferer]

pertaining to the see comments on a previous entry........sorry little vague.  the comments for the post stating ...."very sick colonoscopy not for long time"
sorry for confusion.

[nusnancy]

how did the surgery go, or did you have surgery ? Narrowed stool indicated obstruction and that is nothing to mess around with !

[dakota46]

I too have diverticulitis and so does my sister.  We both for years tolerated the pain, even on bedrest.  Been in the hospital where they put me on IV antibiotics which took the inflamation (inflammation) away.  Dr's suggested surgery but my sister and myself were both afraid.  Finally my sisters colon ruptured.  She was rushed to the hospital and they had to do emergency surgery.  They had to put a temporary colostomy on her which she had to go back in hospital for more surgery to have her colon reattached.  She nearly died.  Then a yr later I had a small rupture on vacation.  Wound up in hospital for 4 days and they encouraged me to have elective surgery when I returned home.  Again, they gave me IV antibiotics which took away the inflamation (inflammation).  Elective surgery was the best thing I could have done.  Was a breeze, they removed a ft of colon, but I sure didn't go through what my sister went through.  DON'T wait until it ruptures, it never heals.  

[hrdtme33]

i was diagnosed with diverticulitis in jan 2008. i was in the hospital for 3 days the first time. then in feb 2008 i had a ft of my small intestine taken out b/c of a blockage that turned out to be scar tissue. well in the past 6 mths i have had 5 bouts with diverticulitis flair ups. i am always in pain. i am scheduled to have the infected part of my sigmoid colon taken out in april. im still unsure about the surgery, but i am willing to try anything at this point. does anyone have any advise for me?

[ruth1960]

i am 1 month post removal of sigmoid colon i wont lie it hurt i had  a laproscopy surgery but the pain from the divroticulitsis was even worse not being able to have bowel movements and being on antiboitics was killer. however it takes time i have normal bowel movements sometimes ..then have whats called dumping the next.. but all and all compared to how i felt and 5 trips to the ER before i feel alot better, its scarey but i had a great doc he was a vascular surgeon that specialized in the colon and i trusted him 100 %.and thats very important i got 2 opinions .. i hope after time i will be normal again my doc says it takes up to 6 months to heal completly..if you ever have a question you can e-mail me at ***@**** ...it will get better i promise

                                          ruth