Removal of sigmoid colon due to diverticulitis: How to deal with pain?

Hi there. I as well had the same surgery a few years ago. Over time I have had the same sudden pain, sometimes bringing me to the er with all labs in normal range.
My theory is that diverticulosis sometimes goes hand in hand with what is called irritable bowel, a diagnosis of unknown painful and irregularity of the bowel.
Medically speaking, post operatively there can be adhesions which can tug and twist the bowel, causing sudden pain. Gas, too much fiber, diet, food intolerance can cause disrupts in motility as well as nerves and anxiousness, which can effect the bowel too. Through trial and error I found what foods agree and don’t with me. I also eat a healthy diet.
Experimenting with food and fiber might help. Gas and constipation can cause severe pain too. I’ve gotten spasms which were relieved with muscle relaxers.
If it continues, you need to speak with gi. There are tests to make sure what goes in flows well.
After my surgery I did notice my motility slowed a bit due to nerves being effected by surgery.
Stew fruit to make it easier to digest. Cook veggies and avoid gassy ones. Milk is gassy. I drink grass fed organic milk, meat, yogurt, all in small amounts. Try aged cheese. I do well with a bit every day. Get your gut into prime shape with good food.
A nutritionist/ dietician, or physician specializing in this area is helpful. They can test for food intolerance.
See doctor if persists, and don’t be afraid to change if you don’t get answers.
Hope I helped a little.

Thank you so much for your input, very helpful, I too have to watch what goes down, of course, not always am I perfect, i eat good, cook my own veggies, have found that broccoli, and things like cauliflower, too gassy, I dont drink milk much at all, when i get upset or stressed, i do see a pattern of nerves evolving, so i try to watch that as well. Diverticulitis isnt fun, i am retired now, 66, at least I dont have to go to a stressful job, like I did half my life, I worked in a very busy medical office, and scheduled medical surgery and
procedures! So my stress level is down! Thank God. I think I will be seeing my GI soon to discuss ! You have been very helpful, after any surgery there are always consequences .But over time, like you said, trial and era, we can conquer.
Thanks again !!

I found the surgery was a relief of constant pain and infection. Keep in mind as well, that pain can be from other sources too. I had a kidney stone and thought it was intestinal... get a good workup! Best of luck!

Hello
You mentioned adhesions in your reply. I had the same surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago. My pain is all on the right side of my abdomen, I’m wondering if it could be adhesions. I have 2 other incisions in the same area. The left side where the sigmoid colon is (or was) is not painful at all.

Did anyone have pain on the right side only after surgery? Mine was done laparoscopically.

i had a different situation, my pain was all left side lower, due to diverticulitus. the sigmoid was bad, took it out , i had open surgery with stitches in 2006. my doc was great , i do believe i developed some adhesions over time, which caused my intense pain out of now where 10 years later, from foods i ate. I watch my diet and eat good, lots of water, however the pain sometimes returns. My doc said only one way in and one way out for my digestive system now. I would never do it again or have belly surgery, unless, i was desperate with pain.

My pain was on the left before the surgery too. I had several diverticulitis episodes as well. They took the diseased part from the lower left.
It’s the oddest thing, my abdominal pain is on the right! There is a small incision there from a port (laparoscopy) but I don’t think that explains it. That’s why I wondered about adhesions.
Thank you both for taking the time to reply. It’s good to know there are folks that care!

did you get your appendix out? while i had surgery they took it out i think because it was a useless organ? go fiqure, but i never had pain on right side. take care, i hope this helps, i am happy also to know there are ppl out there who care !!!

Yes I had my appendix out a long time ago. I was wondering if adhesions from that surgery could have somehow latched on to this incision.
The pain seems to change daily. Did you find that? Today I feel as if I have diverticulitis, same areas in the abdomen.
Not sure about you but I agree with another writer, I wouldn’t do this again!

Thanks for replying!

your welcome talk to your doc, mabe you do have some adhesions on the right side, i hope this resides, i am 66, and never want to do this again, i heal well, i was 50 when i had it done, age matters in alot of surgery, the body can take more when were younger !! LOL take care,

Yup! I’m 69 and you are so right!