Recently had laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy (7/6/22). 72 years old and in good shape, exercise daily, watch my diet and drink 70-80+ ozs. Water/daily. Learning that I needed surgery was quite a surprise following failed colonoscopy. (Narrowing /stricture in sigmoid colon. Had ct colonography & Barium study. Decided to proceed with elective colectomy, had no real symptoms. No pain but sometimes needed laxative to help with BM. Procedure was uneventful. (By the way also had gallbladder removed at the same time) No pain to speak of following surgery. Ibuprofen only no opioids. After surgery had a JP drain in abdomen and a catheter in bladder. This is not something that you should be overly concerned with. If they place catheter once you are out it’s nothing (normally that’s what they’ll do). Surgeon ordered pain block prior to surgery once I was out. Surgery duration was around 5 1/2- 6 hours. Only issue I have is BM’s about three X’s Daily everyday, mostly loose diarrhea . Not the end of the world but I understand as time goes by my colon will eventually get accustomed to the 20% reduction in bowel. Immediately following surgery (first 4-5 weeks) it was a bit challenging to get too far from the bathroom. Three months post-surgery, no pain & eating whatever I feel like eating. Even though the diverticulitis and the sigmoid colon has been removed I am making an accerted effort to stay clear of red meat and seeded foods. Eat high fiber diet and I have no complaints at this point!

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