1. < Digestive Health

Two surgeons two completely opposite opinions!

Posted by helen001 @helen001, Sep 8 4:49am

Here we go - 2 years ago a polyectomy to remove large polyp. Suffered a perforation as result. Treated with antibiotics at nearest A & E not same hospital. 18 month later complicated attack of Diverticulitis a small perforation again antibiotics same A & E. Then admitted again for acute attack 6 moths later. So I end up under 2 different medical teams original one where polyp removed and emergency one. Two week ago original hospital sent app for bowel surgeon who said he recommends elective surgery to remove sigmoid colon due to Diverticulitis. Shocked as I've never had any treat/appointments with this guy. A week later appointment at hospital which treated me with a bowel surgeon. He had called me in to give me results of colonoscopy they'd arranged- all clear some Diverticulitis. When I mentioned about what the other surgeon had suggested he said he wouldn't recommend it and his hospital wouldn't offer it certainly not yet the risks were too great. I've been fine since the 2nd attack fit and healthy. I don't know who's advice to take! Help any advice?? X

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speedbird | @speedbird | Sep 10 7:39am
In reply to @atraveler "This is never an easy decision. Results are usually better when you are fit and well;..." + (show)
@atraveler

This is never an easy decision. Results are usually better when you are fit and well; that is, elective surgery. Emergency surgery after a rupture will often lead to an ostomy. I would suggest getting an MRI to determine whether you are in danger of a rupture. Abdominal surgeries are never easy on you. These surgeries leave adhesions which can lead to later blockages. If the MRI reveals you are close to a rupture then definitely have the surgery. If not, delay the surgery as long as you can with the understanding that your situation will never get better.

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I couldn’t agree more with
atraveler . Right on the money 100 percent. Better to proceed with resection surgery when you are healthy and feeling strong, the outcome will be much more favorable. Post elective sigmoid colectomy over two years ago and all is well!

REPLY
linda82 | @linda82 | Sep 10 5:22pm
In reply to @shelleyw "linda82, I am so happy for you that you're surgery was so successful 👍‼️ So, adhesions..." + (show)
@shelleyw

linda82, I am so happy for you that you're surgery was so successful 👍‼️
So, adhesions were major part of your pain? Did I understand that correctly?
Did you get told what kind of adhesions you had?
What symptoms pushed you over the edge, and chose surgery? Any info you feel you could share, please, I need all the info I can get. Thanx ShelleyW

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Not sure about adhesions he mainly said scar tissue that I remember.
Area was so big they thought I had a cyst on my ovaries. After a couple of MRI's, they said it was from my diverticulitis.
My decision came after my ER visit. And then made an appt with Colon Rectal Dr.
I had 3 episodes last year and all were after I was back from a vacation. I stayed on a strict diet, and it still did not help. Each trip was days of IBS and I was just fed up.
After My appt with all 3 of my Dr's and counsel of all details of the surgery. I also came on this site and started investigating and seeing what other people were saying. Especially the people that had the surgery.
Other than this stomach issue I was in good health.
I just said to myself:
I do not want to live like this anymore.
I do not want to be in pain anymore
I do not want to be somewhere and have to be rushed to emergency and have surgery by a stranger.
I did not want to be an elderly patient later in life and be miserable.
I want control of my bowls.
I want to eat what I want and not worry. (I was told by Dr's that once you have this it really doesn't matter what diet you are on)
I did not want to depend on taking medicine around the clock. (I depleted all supplies in the surrounding area of Mesalamine. It was the only med. that keep my inflammation at bay, and I even called the manufacturer to find more, and they said it was on pause and back ordered)
I did not want to be on antibiotics so frequently

I made sure I was mentally and physically ready for the surgery and I am so glad I had it done and thankful for this site and my Dr's.

REPLY
1 reply
atraveler | @atraveler | Sep 11 2:14am
In reply to @linda82 "Not sure about adhesions he mainly said scar tissue that I remember. Area was so big..." + (show)
@linda82

Not sure about adhesions he mainly said scar tissue that I remember.
Area was so big they thought I had a cyst on my ovaries. After a couple of MRI's, they said it was from my diverticulitis.
My decision came after my ER visit. And then made an appt with Colon Rectal Dr.
I had 3 episodes last year and all were after I was back from a vacation. I stayed on a strict diet, and it still did not help. Each trip was days of IBS and I was just fed up.
After My appt with all 3 of my Dr's and counsel of all details of the surgery. I also came on this site and started investigating and seeing what other people were saying. Especially the people that had the surgery.
Other than this stomach issue I was in good health.
I just said to myself:
I do not want to live like this anymore.
I do not want to be in pain anymore
I do not want to be somewhere and have to be rushed to emergency and have surgery by a stranger.
I did not want to be an elderly patient later in life and be miserable.
I want control of my bowls.
I want to eat what I want and not worry. (I was told by Dr's that once you have this it really doesn't matter what diet you are on)
I did not want to depend on taking medicine around the clock. (I depleted all supplies in the surrounding area of Mesalamine. It was the only med. that keep my inflammation at bay, and I even called the manufacturer to find more, and they said it was on pause and back ordered)
I did not want to be on antibiotics so frequently

I made sure I was mentally and physically ready for the surgery and I am so glad I had it done and thankful for this site and my Dr's.

Jump to this post

The scar tissue is also known as adhesions.

REPLY
isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Sep 12 5:32pm

@helen001 I’ve not been in your situation. Removal of the sigmoid colon is a big step. If it was me I would be taking a 3rd opinion (hope your insurance covers it) from a major cancer hospital like Mayo or Moffit).

REPLY
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