Diverticulitis and colectomy

@hopeful33250 It will be six weeks Wednesday. I am 70 years old but have had several abdominal surgeries (3x different ovarian cysts)when I was younger. I also had my gallbladder and appendix removed also. When I had this surgery I had an abscess on my bladder which had to be repaired! I’m not sure if that’s what’s causing my symptoms but I will ask the surgeon next week at my last post op appointment. He feels my symptoms are not part of the surgery. I am worse in the morning and wake up several times at night with abdominal pain mainly on the left side. I thought it would be getting better each day but it’s not. My insurance sent a Dr to my house yesterday that said she felt with the bladder abscess I was going to take a lot longer to heal? She said the nerves were probably causing a lot of my symptoms. The bowels are so irregular but I was expecting that. I’m trying to be patient but it’s hard.

@lilbear I am so sorry. I guess good news is it will heal and I am sad for you.
I had to process pain by thinking of a ticking clock.
every min closer to healing, every hour, closer to healing, every day closer to healing, every week closer to healing. etc.
During my surgery they had to stop everything to call in a urologist. They had to make sure that he looked at my ureters that scar tissue interfered with.
I was fortunate I had no issues. Eye opening on what scar tissue can do and how repeated episodes of diverticulitis can cause damage.
Hugs!

@linda82 so how are you feeling now?

@lilbear Great!

@linda82 I don’t know how that great appeared cuz I’m not great at least not yet lol

Hi. I had elective resection for diverticulitis 8 weeks ago. I am learning that recovery takes time. I never thought about that part of it because people I spoke with all said they knew people who had been through it and they all did just fine. I find even at 8 weeks if I overdo things like cleaning my house or lifting heavy groceries I seem to have more pain again. But after resting for a day things improve. I have a hard time being patient. But just continue to take it easy. I can say that I definitely feel better 8 weeks out than I did 5 weeks out. I am expecting it to take 6 months to feel completely better. Hang in there !

@lilbear I’m feeling better. I went for my six weeks postop yesterday and the doctor says I’m fine i have no complications from surgery whatever symptoms I have now is just my healing! He told me I could eat whatever I wanted and to go live life! I feel like he hasn’t been on the same page as me since the surgery the day after when I was in the hospital he told me, I could eat whatever I wanted, which I have found to not be true. He said from a surgeons point of view I’m doing great!

@lilbear That is good to hear. I would make sure you get all your protein's, fruits and veggies and plenty of fluids.
Do you exercise regularly?
It isn't just going to a "work out room" Example I consider working in the yard as exercise too.
I can get my 10k steps just doing that and getting that awesome Vit. D
I can eat what I want. But, still must limit portions. I remember the first time I had popcorn and waiting for that pain. But, nothing happened. Nuts, no issues, seeds, no issues. Just do not "make a meal of it" LOL.

@linda82 thanks for sharing all of this!

@dormor321 thanks for sharing! Yes I washed the floor the other day 6 weeks out & I’ve been paying for it for a few days now!