Colon Resection or not?

[TracyDan]

On Sept 25, I have a bout with diverticulitis where I had to be hospitalized.  I opted not to have emergency surgery knowing it would mean 2 surgeries.  I was given IV antibiotics and it successfully subsided.  The hospital colon surgeon recommended surgery.  I returned to my GI doctor who does GI scoping and diseases and he said it was first major issue and I could wait.  I do travel to other countries where the medical care may not be so good so that has me a bit concerned not doing it.  I had a colonscopy today with the colon surgeon, and surgery is scheduled for Dec. 19.  The colonscopy results is slightly different than other colonscopies I have had before and it said - Moderately severe diverticulosis found in the descending colon and sigmoid colon. He told me he would remove the one area that I had an issue with in Sept. but will need keep on a high fiber diet for the remaining diverticulosis in my colon.  What does moderately severe mean?  This sounds like a contradiction.  I decided to go for a second opinion with another surgeon but is there anything else anyone recommends?

[TracyDan]

Thank you for posting the link.  The earlier posts were very informative!  After my appt tomorrow, I may come back in here to ask you additional questions.  I appreciate this website.

[TracyDan]

Hi and thank you for your input.  I am meeting the colon surgeon tomorrow for additional information.  What was your recover like and was your surgery done by the laproscopic?  

[Morecambe]

Back in 2004 I underwent a total colectomy following several instances of torrential diverticular bleeding.  I was persuaded that this surgery was desirable because in the event of further bleeding my life could be in danger if I was not close to a hospital.  In response to another Medhelp patient's posting, I summarised my experiences on:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166 (dated May 2008)

You may like to have a look at this posting and do please come back if you have any questions.

regards
Morecambe

[Megadodger]

In my experience moderately to severe means that usually the symptoms are moderate but when you have a flare or "episode" it gets severe. The inflammation or symptoms become almost uncontrollable.

Honestly, I didn't want to do surgery either. I fought it for 5 years. ... I feel like an idiot for it. I feel so much better now than I ever did.. EVER.