I have been advised by all doctors I have consulted that surgery risk of infection or other complications is worse than living with my current status. I do run a risk of bowel obstruction though so in that case emergency surgery would be involved. My pain mostly involves the process of digestion and elimination so my diet is key, lots of fruits and veggies, yogurt, and when I am in real distress I rely on Kombucha to get me back on track. A side note about nausea and diarrhea with flagl - I was prescribed Colclestramine (sp?) which is given to cancer patients to control nausea and vomiting. (that was years before I was diagnosed with cancer.)