Surgery for recurrent diverticulitis

Mine was supposed to be robotic and they ended up cutting me from belly button down to complete the surgery. (Longer time in surgery)
They had to call in a urologist to make sure that was okay.
He said it was one of the worse cases due to scaring from episodes. He described it like this "imagine making mac and cheese and freezing it. Then taking it out and trying to separate the cheese from the macaroni!
I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I was on ketamine and had them stop the morning after surgery. I started eating and walking the halls immediately.
The recover is slow and long. But, worth it. So many changes happen (even mentally) and there is no manual.

Almost at my 1 year make and not one episode and normal BM's!!! My only issue is getting full quick. But, that is ok.

That is encouraging to hear. I have several BM’s each day, especially after eating. At this point I don’t really want to go out for any long periods of time unless I know there’s a clean, private bathroom nearby!
I have noticed I get full quickly and I’m quite uncomfortable if I eat too much. Do you just eat smaller meals more often?
Thank you for sharing your experience. Being only 1 month out I’m not sure what to expect. But if I never have another episode I’ll accept and adjust to the rest of it. The last year was brutal.

I had recurrent diverticulitis going back to when I was 20 years old. I was never hospitalized, but treated with antibiotics. In 1997, I had a lower GI done and it revealed that scar tissue had built up in my sigmoid colon. The surgeon recommended surgery to remove the scarred portion.

I had the surgery. The surgeon removed 20 centimeters of my colon and buttoned me back up. I was in the hospital for six days, with 2 months of recovery.

This was back in 1998. I have not had any trouble with diverticulitis since. I do have a 12 inch scar that runs down my abdomen.

I’ve had attacks. Though the doctors say it’s not caused by eating popcorn, seeds or nuts I can attest to the fact that it has caused my attacks. Regardless of what they say I avoid those foods. I’ve had a number of colonoscopies and do have pouches in my colon. I could have the surgery but at 74 I don’t think I want to take the risk.

I had 12 inches of my sigmoid colon removed due to diverticulitis, and it was the best thing I ever did! I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was until it was gone. Recovery isn't fun for a few days, but it's not too bad.

Yes, I was the same on not wanting to go out because of the several BM''s! The Dr. said everything is readjusting in that area and it would get better.
I would say give it time. I did make sure and wear pads. (just in case) because there will be time where you may "go" and not realize it.
Not sue with your case but living for many years with "IBS" was difficult enough trying to get out of the house in the morning and surviving on Pepto to stop yourself to get to work.
In the last year I may have used MiraLAX 10 times. But, it is a miracle for me just having normal BM's in the morning and done for the day!
Except the fullness.... Do not overeat. (Which for us is really not overeating) If you do it will feel like, and you will need to go again and you will. Get a pottie squatty! Best thing ever!!
Make sure you eat small meals and make either you breakfast or lunch the main meal.
You will learn what to choose.
Make sure you get all your proteins, fruits and vegetables every day and drink a lot. My cocktail was no sugar white grape juice, Gatorade, mineral water, vitamin water, and coconut water. (my other complaint in those first mths was I was tired all the time.
After about 4-5 mths remove the Gatorade and vitamin water.
Also, exercise every day. Does not matter what kind just move!
Make a cut off time for food. I do not eat after 6 or 7 at night and if I do feel uncomfortable, I drink a hot cup of Camomile and peppermint tea.
Ask me any questions you have, and I will try and help. Everyone is different