Question 1

when should i consider surgery for diverticulitis?

Accepted Answer

Complications: Of all people who have diverticuli, only about 1% end up needing surgery.  Surgery is reserved for complications of diverticulitis including generalized peritonitis, chronic narrowing of the colon (stricture), and post-inflammatory connections between the colon and bladder or vagina (fistulae).  In addition, some people with many recurrent attacks opt for surgery.

Question 2

what makes diverticulitis so bad that surgery is necessary?

Accepted Answer

Hole In The Colon: Diverticulitis occurs when a small pocket of the wall of the colon ruptures, thru which intestinal contents may leak into the abdominal cavity.  The severity of the episode is related to how quickly and how well the body seals this hole shut.  If it remains open, generalized peritonitis can develop necessitating emergency surgery to remove this ruptured area (with a temporary colostomy).

Question 3

what can i do for my diverticulitis to avoid needing surgery?

Accepted Answer

High Fiber Diet: It is thought that the high incidence of diverticular disease in the us is related to our low-fiber diet.  I advise people to take 30grams of water-soluble fiber supplements a day, as well as 64 ounces of water.

Question 4

i have had 2 bouts of diverticulitis, 8 months apart. do i need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Most flares of diverticulitis can be managed conservatively with antibiotics and bowel rest.

Question 5

how much time does it usually take to recover after diverticulitis surgery?

Accepted Answer

4-6 weeks: Depending on whether the surgery is laparoscopic or open changes the recovery. Typically my patients are home after 4-5 days and back doing usual activity 3 weeks later.  If the surgery was open - requiring an old fashioned incision - the stay is 5-7 days and it is 4-6 weeks of recovery.

Question 6

i had surgery for diverticulitis on 2003 - can i get this back?and can i eat strawberry seeds?

Accepted Answer

Yes it can recur  : Surgery usually involves a resection of the part of the colon infected so that a recurrence can occur in another part of the colon.
As far as diet is concerned the diverticular diet was devised in the 1920s and excluded all seeds, etc.(things that dont get digested) however in more recent years these things do not seem to be a cause of diverticulitis. In the 1920s a physician found a seed in the.

Question 7

what is the recovery time after surgery for diverticulitis?

Accepted Answer

Depends: I have some patients playing golf in 2 weeks, some still call for pain meds after 4 weeks.  In general, uncomplicated laparoscopic resection in the younger, healthier patients will yield the most rapid recovery.  It is not uncommon for my patients to go home after 2-3 days.

Question 8

what to do if you've had diverticulitis surgery and have it come back?

Accepted Answer

May need surgery: Recurrent diverticulitis occurs 10-20% of the time after good operation. Not every bout needs surgery, though. If several recurrent documented bouts (seen on ct scan) then you might need repeat surgery. Pain alone is poor indication.

Question 9

i've had diverticulitis 3 times in a year and a half. is surgery a good idea now? i'm 39?

Accepted Answer

: It depends on the severity of the previous episodes. If they were managed successfully outpatient, surgery is not absolutely indicated.

Question 10

how do u get diverticulitis, how do u know if u need surgery to cure it? what happens during surgery, how does it cure it?

Accepted Answer

Diet and pressure : You are asking about diverticulitis.  The cause is not completely known.  It is known to be an outpouching of the colon and does not contain all layers so it is a pseudo aneurysm.  Diet poor in fiber may contribute.  Pressure exerted may also play a role.  We know that as you age you are more likely to have diverticulitis.  Many people have it but are asymptomatic.

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Doctor answers about:

Pain after diverticulitis surgery

A member asked:

When should i consider surgery for diverticulitis?

A member asked:

What makes diverticulitis so bad that surgery is necessary?

A member asked:

What can i do for my diverticulitis to avoid needing surgery?

A member asked:

I have had 2 bouts of diverticulitis, 8 months apart. do i need surgery?

A member asked:

How much time does it usually take to recover after diverticulitis surgery?

A member asked:

I had surgery for diverticulitis on 2003 - can i get this back?and can i eat strawberry seeds?

A member asked:

What is the recovery time after surgery for diverticulitis?

A member asked:

What to do if you've had diverticulitis surgery and have it come back?

A member asked:

I've had diverticulitis 3 times in a year and a half. is surgery a good idea now? i'm 39?

A member asked:

How do u get diverticulitis, how do u know if u need surgery to cure it? what happens during surgery, how does it cure it?

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