Seeking support for recovery from diverticulitis surgery

I had this surgery when I was 70 in 2015. I still have some remaining Diverticula(pockets) in my colon so Iam careful about eating popcorn and nuts. There are mixed opinions rather that is necessary or not. I do it anyway. They removed about 9-10 inches of my Sigmoid colon to relieve the stenosis from the chronic smoldering Diverticulitis attacks that I was having and was able to avoid a bag. My bowels have always been unstable being diagnosed with IBS-D when I was only 25. My recovery from the actual surgery was uneventful and fairly fast. I still have my same IBS problems and had to just deal with them. The diarrhea is worse since my Gallbladder surgery a year ago. "THE GOLDEN YEARS" are not for wimps.

Should I be concerned if I do not have a BM or gas for a day or two? My doctor suggested Metamucil which I have been taking 1 tsp in 8 oz of water for the last couple days. I am so concerned about developing a blockage!

It will be better for your colon and remaining pockets that you probably still have in your remaining colon and sigmoid colon to avoid constipation (which is something I never have had to worry about). Too much straining can also cause hemmorhoid inflammation and is hard on existing Diverticulosis which all of us usually get as we get older. My GI doctor told me to drink at least 8-9 glasses of water per day and make sure you are getting plenty of solvable fiber. This is where the Metamucil comes in. Because I tend to have problems with loose stool, it was suggested that I take either a rounded tablespoon mixed in a glass of water 2 times a day of the powdered Metamucil or 4-5 capsules of Metamucil 2 times a day. Depending on your results, you can take this dose up to 4 times a day if needed. This is also available as a generic. It is Psyllium Fiber. You also want to allow a couple of hours between taking meds. And Metamucil because of absorption problems of some meds. Metamucil can help either diarrhea...by supplying more fiber to the intestine and making it easier to move your bowels or by making more bulk in the bowel giving your loose stool more form. Depending on how much intestine your surgeon removed, after a while your GI track will develope what will be a new norm for you. My Doctor also recommended exercise like walking and a probiotic to be taken daily called FLORESTOR. I hope this info is helpful to you.

I forgot to say that, at 4 weeks, you are quite early in your recovery. This is a major surgery and will take some time to heal and regain your strength and your body will take time to adjust to the new plumbing. I hate to say it but it takes us longer to bounce back than a younger person so please don't think that you won't get better because this other person was back to work and all better in 4 weeks! Believe me when I say it does not work that way. For myself, I was still making adjustments for up to a year or more after my surgery. After all, we have had a portion of our intestines removed and now must learn to live without them.🥰 I promise you, you will get there...I promise🤗

Thank you so much! I am not a very patient person. I am currently taking one tsp. Metamucil in 8 oz water and plan to up it to two per day. Is it normal to still be in pain at this point? Mine is a 2 on a 1-10 scale. It was a bit less earlier but now is back. I think I strained something a couple days ago while I was juicing a lemon, believe it or not. It surprised me.

At 4 weeks post op. I was still getting reminders from my body when I reached or stretched or tightened the wrong muscle. After I corrected the cause, I was OK. Pain that is redflag is hot, throbbing and un relenting pain...that could signal a problem.

Thank you! That is good to know. I feel a bit less pain today. The other thing that keeps surprising me is how very little I can do! I feel faint if I stand or walk for longer than 45-50 minutes. I guess I am really going to have to scale down Thanksgiving prep this year. Thank goodness we aren’t expecting family this year!

I have a couple of friends that went through this and I remember all of us complaining about the lack of stamina we had. Little by little you will notice you are getting better...it's "Baby Steps" and does take a while. 💕🙂🙃

I am 82 and had 6 inches of colon removed in May due to diverticulitis. I had robotic surgery. My surgeon also told me nothing. I believe you have to speak to him & demand answers. My recovery has not been bad but there are several issues. For example, sometimes I “go” in my pants but do no know it until I go to bathroom & see it. This has led to UTI. Also, I defecate only what looks like nuggets unless I take a fiber supplement. I hope your issues resolve as more time passes.

I am sorry you have suffered such problems. In my case, after taking Metamucil I time a day for a week, I have had small solidly formed BM s in the evening before bedtime. However, if I eat dinner, I find that I feel too full,,and have heartburn. I have cut my portions in half, but so far it has not helped. So I don’t think things are moving along exactly as they should. Has anyone had success taking Miralax along with Metamucil? I am not sure how to proceed. I think I am drinking enough water but now that the weather is cold here, it is harder. Any advice on getting 8 glasses of water down when one does not like water in the first place?