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Hi Michael I’m not sure what category my issue falls under so I’m posting it under this general discussion. I am a healthy 69-year-old 6 foot one 160 pounds I’ve had a few episodes of mild diverticulitisI in the past year since moving to Florida that I was hospitalized 1 time for. I was talked into having surgery to avoid any future diverticulosis problems, by a surgeon. I will regret that decision for the rest of my life! I’m three weeks post surgery my body is distorted. I used to have a flat stomach. I now have a bulging stomach with pain near the incision areas difficulty defecating. I have a 1 inch flap of skin overhanging on my belly! Across my abdomen I have a very low body image of myself. I’m down to 136 as I am afairid to eat ( another surgeon screwed me up 40 years ago I had hemmroids and messed up my spintker muscle and I must digitize myself every time. I can’t pass gas without doing that now and i irritated the area so bad I have a fissure!!The surgeon never told me anything like this would happen to me. I hate what he did to me I hate my appearance I could have managed diverticulitis with meds and diet. I’m going to die here ! That’s how I feel right now I was a healthy man with mild diverticulitis and I got all screwed up!
Replies to "Hi Michael I’m not sure what category my issue falls under so I’m posting it under..."
@milddiverticulitus- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I've had several incisions across my abdomen and a bit lower and can reassure you that three weeks is a very short time to heal. You use your belly area and its muscles for about everything and it seldom has a time out. The pain will subside and if it's very bad then you need to speak with your doctor.
It sounds as if you are very proud of how you have looked. Feeling good on the inside is as important. I'm sure that your doctor advised surgery because diverticulitis can lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the tummy). Pus might then spread inside the abdominal cavity and even cause blood poisoning.
I have a close friend who wound up in the hospital for a week with this because he waited to have surgery until he couldn't move with the pain it caused. Since then he has followed all the diet changes and as he felt better, several months out, and was able to start to bike ride. Now He is extremely fit. You can get there again. But you have to be patient and follow what your doctor advises. If you push yourself too much you can cause more tissue damage from your operation, extending your recovery time.
You might like to read about others on Connect who have had Diverticulitis:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diverticulitis-1/
Does this all make sense to you?
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Hi Michael, I wanted to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. It must be devastating to have two surgeries cause additional problems leaving you with so much discomfort.
I know you are brand new to Connect so I wanted to share with you a discussion in our Digestive Health Group that has many members that are discussing their issues with diverticulitis like @hopeful33250, @s35flyer, @rubbob1 and @johnbishop. I would encourage you to check out the link below and connect with them.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diverticulitis-1/Have you talked to your surgeon about the issues you are currently having? What did they say?