Diverticulitis - looking for info

Hi, I had my first diverticulitis in 2016 (ER) and as of today I have had 10 diverticulitis attacks through out these years. Some I had to go to the ER or either my doctor treated with (Flagyl and Cipro antibiotics) - or Amoxicillin or Dicyclomine to reduce spasms in the colon--- Awful meds to take as many time that I have taken them- (oral Or IV) I will say that the last two episodes one in 2024- per CT scan with contrast showed possible fusion of bladder to colon--had to do a test with OBGY to rule that out-It had not did a fusion--But CT showed it was close.
Now the last one (#10)- June4,2025 was painful - was put on the meds-- then 7/1/2025- CT scan with contrast(IV) and had to drink a contrast as well.. This one showed on the left side that my left ovary has a cyst that abscessed and diverticulist attach with thickening of the wall of the colon------ the attaching to other organs had never happened before and I am older in my 60 years now........ I am telling you a history--because of course the doctor want to cut out the bad part of the colon and remove the ovaries ----- What I need from you is the robotic surgery (cut out the bad part) were you in pain and how long?
How long before you had a bowel movement- and no bag--which that scares me to death?
What have you done/eaten to get your system regulated?
After 5 months--FOR Real-- you said,"I made the right decision.----- therefore is your quality of life better???---
I need help and you have already had the robotic surgery and I just need to hear from someone life yourself who actually has done the colon robotic surgery. I appreciate all your help with answers and I pray that God Heals your body and I Thank you for any input.

Wow, you have been through a lot and it sounds like you need that surgery. In answer to your questions:
I was pleasantly surprised that the pain was not nearly as intense as I feared. Years ago I had an ovary removed(before robotic surgery was a thing) and it was quite painful so I was expecting that kind of pain. It was not anywhere close to that. Robotic surgery is really amazing.
I was in the hospital for 3 days and had bowel movements within a couple days. They don’t let you leave until you do. The first couple of BM’s were mostly blood. Do not be alarmed because that is normal.
I did not have a bag but was warned by my surgeon that it was a possibility though the chances were good that I wouldn’t. I was willing to take the chance because I couldn’t keep going on like I was (ER visits, nasty medication that made me sick, etc.) Also the surgeon warned me that my bowel might perforate which would require emergency surgery and probably a bag so having robotic surgery when you aren’t having a flare up is much better.
I am 6 months out now and have not had a flare up. I am still trying to figure out a diet that works for me as I can have 5 or 6 BM’s a day which is annoying. I talked to my surgeon about this and she suspects I might have IBS so I will be going to a GI to get help with that. The surgeon said we often overlook IBS symptoms when we are dealing with diverticulitis flare ups all the time.
I was 72 when I had my surgery so you are a little younger so don’t let your age worry you.
Yes, my quality of life is definitely better and I do not regret the surgery.Please let me know how you are doing and don’t hesitate to ask any questions. Others in this discussion group have helped me a lot.

Interesting you said that about the left ovary. I went through the same thing and all the scans showed that. But, after all of that they determined it was my diverticulitis flare up and scarring instead. My ovary was fine.
The only bad thing about the surgery to remove a foot of my sigmoid colon was how bad the damage was due to all the episodes.
You should get the surgery, and you will be so happy not to be on and dependent of all the meds' you take now.

Last year I had three bouts of diverticulitis in roughly three months with the third one causing a perforated colon with a large infected abscess pocket. Spent a week in the hospital on IVs only and heavy multiple antibiotics. Ended up with cdiff battling that for 10 months post hospital stay in severe pain, multiple digestive and colorectal physical therapists and ongoing cdiff meds with limited diet or diarrhea would be worse. It took a fecal transplant at Froedtert in Milwaukee to help improve it which was two months ago. Unfortunately I’m back on antibiotics due to an infection and have to take the cdiff meds at the same time praying it doesn’t come back. The surgeon during my hospital stay was going to do surgery and for some reason opted not to. Given the ongoing challenges and chronic pain in that area of the colon a year post abscess I wish he would’ve done it. I did start to see a wellness way doctor and am taking natural supplements which seem to help a bit. I eat non dairy forager yogurt and take probiotics and prebiotics every day. Thankfully I haven’t had a diverticulitis flare up in several months but I still eat a very limited diet. Exercise and walks is a must and yoga or something to manage stress as that can be a trigger too. Maybe a food diary if foods can be contributing. Good luck!

I had the robotic partial colectomy (no bag) 23 month's ago. They removed two feet of my large intestine, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The pain following surgery was minimal for me. The most difficult thing is learning what works for your digestive system after surgery. Our intestines need time to readjust after some are removed--they get lazy. It takes time to try and determine what works best for your body. I tried Benefiber, Miralax, Metamucil, Organic Psyllium, Stool Softeners and Sunfiber to keep my new system running. All but Sunfiber caused bloating and gas. For me, that works well. Drink plenty of water. Eat clean, healthy, organic food. I can't eat spicy food anymore. Life gets better each day--no more pain from chronic Diverticulitis. For me, I have my life back!

Hi,

Thank you for taking time to answer my previous diverticulitis concerns. I still have questions and yes I am scared to death. I don’t know if (the bag concern – which the doctor expects it will not be needed, however………...
or just cutting out the bad part of my colon is troubling me)
Any help with the following questions and concerns may help me to overcome since you have already had the robotic sigma colon surgery and remove left and right ovaries…..

Questions

How many hours where you in surgery?

1.--When you came out of recovery – How did you feel and where you in pain and what medication was given for pain?

#2-- Day #1 in the hospital-- where you sore? Did you hurt? Where you up walking?

#3 –where you in the hospital 3days?

#4 When did you have your first Bowel Movement and was it Painful?: Was there blood in the bowel? Do they give you something to make you have a Bowel movement?

#5-- Day#2 in the hospital--- how were you feeling? Day #3 how where you?

#6 – When you got home from the hospital-- Where you in pain and how did you feel at home?

#7-- Did they give you a list of food to eat?

#8- Did you take supplements at home? What type of food did you eat at home? Do you have a lot of bowel movements each day and does it keep you from going out with the friends and family? Did you where Depends?

Okay--- any input to the above questions would be helpful to me. Once again, Thank You for any input
and God Bless!

Answers
How many hours where you in surgery?
Not sure total. I think 4. But, they had to stop and have a urologist come in to make sure my ureters were not damaged and had good flow for urine. I know that my surgeon had to spend so much time on clearing scar tissue that another surgeon in the practice that was in room had to help.

1.--When you came out of recovery – How did you feel and where you in pain and what medication was given for pain?
No pain just a little out of it and I was on Ketamine.

#2-- Day #1 in the hospital-- where you sore? Did you hurt? Where you up walking? No on pain. They did have me get up and sit in a chair and walk then go back to bed. They also brought food to eat. I did eat some but, I was scared to.

#3 –where you in the hospital 3days?
My surgery was Mon. morning, and I left Wed by noon. They had me down for 4-5 days. But, I was doing well enough, and I was ready to go. I even took a shower by myself (with nurse present)

#4 When did you have your first Bowel Movement and was it Painful?: Was there blood in the bowel? Do they give you something to make you have a Bowel movement?
No pain, but a lot of blood and bowl. The blood scared me, and I was told that was normal. I did not make any thing for BM

#5-- Day#2 in the hospital--- how were you feeling? Day #3 how where you?
The morning after surgery I did have them remove the ketamine and I stay on Advil, Tylenol and a muscle relaxer. They did remove the catheter soon after. Which meant I could get up more and walk the halls and go to bathroom. They removed the alarms in the afternoon once they felt like I was not a "fall risk" At that point I was having to call a lot to go to the bathroom.

#6 – When you got home from the hospital-- Where you in pain and how did you feel at home?
No pain I stayed on around the clock dosages of Tylenol, Advil and a muscle relaxer for a week. (I had set a remainder on the phn and had a spreadsheet to check off to make sure I did not forget.) The only pain was discomfort on my sides and belly. When in bed I had to stay on my back. If I try to go on my side, it was like a sore stretch. But, I got up a lot and would walk in the yard and sit some in the sun then go back to bed or couch.

#7-- Did they give you a list of food to eat?
No, I was told to eat what I wanted.

#8- Did you take supplements at home?
Yes, I took the supplements that I took before surgery.
What type of food did you eat at home?
I mainly stayed with a lot of liquids. Eggs, toast, bacon. yogurt, banana, etc. small amounts

Do you have a lot of bowel movements each day and does it keep you from going out with the friends and family?
Yes, for the first couple of weeks you will be going a lot. It will take everything to rearrange in there, I guess. I remember when I had my first "normal" BM I was like this is what they were talking about! It takes a while for healing and once you are comfortable it is the mind that interferes with going out with friends and family. I started out with short outings. I also had a lot of fatigue.
Yes, for the first couple of weeks you will be going a lot. It will take a while for everything to rearrange in there, I guess.
Did you where Depends?
I mainly bout those extra-long women's pads for the first month. then went to regular. Ended up giving all that away. I also, bought the bed pad just in case.

In answer to your questions:

Not sure how long I was in surgery but I think around 3 hours.
1. Right out of surgery I was a little foggy and according to my daughters, a little goofy, but very little pain. They had me on oxycodone and Gabapentin but I stopped taking those soon afterwards and took only Tylenol. Certain movements caused a little pain but never anything intolerable.

2. On day 2 they removed the catheter and I walked the hallways of the hospital a couple times a
day. I also took a shower on my
own. I believe I had my first BM
that day but it was pretty much all blood which I was assured was normal. I was a little sore but not terrible.

3. Yes, I was in the hospital for 3 nights. Surgery was Monday
morning and I was discharged late Thursday afternoon.

4. My BMs were not painful and I didn’t take anything to make me have one.

5. Days 2 and 3 in the hospital were similar as far as pain. My BM was not bloody by the third day. I walked the hallways at least twice a day. I made my visitors walk with me which they were happy to do because hospitals are boring. lol

6.I remember the drive home from the hospital (about 20 minutes) was a little rough and I didn’t feel like eating. Just a little too jostling around I guess. But by the next morning I was okay.

7. I was given a list of foods I could eat and foods to avoid for the first few weeks. Basically they had me on a low residue diet; white rice, white bread, easy to digest meats, cooked vegetables, etc. I never needed Depends or any pads.

8. I don’t really take supplements except occasionally need miralax, but I think my bowel movement issues aren’t necessarily surgery related. My surgeon suspects IBS because I’ve had issues for a long time. But obviously surgery affects your digestive system and your system has to relearn. Six months out I’m still trying to figure out what works best for me. I have an appointment with a GI but it’s not for 2 more months which is annoying but typical for where I live. Meanwhile I’ve started a food journal which I purchased from Amazon to see if I can figure out trigger foods. There are days when I may have several BMs and don’t feel real great so that’s what I’m trying to figure out. But I go out with friends and family and am careful about what I eat. Again, a lot of this probably is not strictly related to my surgery. The worse problem I have, and had before surgery, is being able to leave my house in the morning because it takes all morning for me to get it all out. So I make all my appointments in the afternoon. That makes my life quite difficult.

In the end what will tell you is that having that surgery was definitely for the best for me because I spent last year in and out of the ER, was on medication that made me sick, and lived with the fear I’d have an episode while traveling which did happen last Christmas and was a terrible experience. I also lived in fear of my colon perforating and having to have emergency surgery by whatever doctor was on duty at whatever hospital I was in.
I hope you are getting the information you need in this discussion group to alleviate some of your fears. I wish you the best.

Thank You--Thank You--Thank Y-O-U !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family thanks you and ALL responses from all the wonderful people in this group dealing with Diverticulitis.

This has eased my mind to make a sound decision on this surgery--- still scared, --- have to step out on faith of a mustard seed and Trust God.
- If you or anyone has more input to this matter, I am grateful for all input and replies. I wish you the best and good health.

Having the surgery when your colon has rested is a much easier surgery than when you’re in an acute state.