just to add to what has already been said: since the diverticulum is inflammed (itis) it would be prudent to be on a very-low fiber/low-residue diet when the inflammation recedes slowly add fiber; the after a follow-up colonoscopy indicates the lesions have healed add fiber in you diet; the fiber will aid to keep your colon clean, and yes aviod anything with seeds and nuts, a low fat diet is always beneficial.

I had my bout with it when I was 25. I had the surgery and lost
about 5-6 inches of my s.colon. Recovery from the surgery sucks,
I have a scar from the groin to just under my ribcage. They cut
through all the muscles, etc. which hurts like a s.o.b. while healing.
I hear that the new surgery is laproscopic and uses two tiny incisions.

Anyways, I eat ridiculous amounts of fiber and that seems to keep
it under control.

Jeff, do you have any fluid balance issues or does the remaining colon compensate for loss of absorptive surface?

As I understand it, the sigmoid colon is the final segment of the colon. The
main thing I notice is more frequent bathroom trips. The doc said this is
mostly due to decreased storage capacity. Haven't noticed any fluid issues.
I've always drank quite a bit (of water ).

What I recalled about colon function was it was responsible for water absorption, but I think that was mainly the transverse, but shoot, that was twenty years ago that I taught A&P and just wondered if it had any effect on the water balance to have a portion removed.

The wee-wee thing, if you're a male over forty it comes with the territory.

So to speak.

Joe, my father, a retired physician/surgeon, just had this operation done about 2.5 months ago. It went fine and he opted for it even though the biopsy revealed no cancer or tumor.
Now his decision was based on age and density of diverticuli in the lower colon. He had gone in for the colonoscopy and the Doctor could not get beyond an unknown 'mass' in the lower area. So the colonoscopy could not be done.
So after the imaging and tests, he decided on his own to have immediate surgery.
He rationailed that due to his age (mid 70's) and the threat of later bowel obstruction by the uncommonly
grouped diverticuli, it was best to avoid problems later. (eruptions, obstructed bowel etc. )He is a physician and sees the worst case scenario first.
That is why he chose immediate surgery even though his physician was less motivated.
All in all, the surgery was of the less invasive type and he was up and dancing in a very short time (2-3 weeks)
He was already on a high fiber, no fat diet etc. due to a ministroke 6 yrs ago. And yes it is best to avoid seeds etc. They can even end up in your appenidix i believe.

So, size up your age, health, time off, and number of present diverticuli in the colon section that would be removed.
Apparently ,we all have these things in various numbers in our colon, but when they erupt like your case, it is trouble. That is what my father wanted to avoid later.
Seek the best team to work on you if you choose surgery.

Regards

Denis

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Medicine certainly isnt the exact science we are oft led to believe it is.

This is mostly gonna be your own call, you have to get to know the signals your own body are putting out.

When I was 30 I had a ulcer in my intestine perforate throught he wall and had to go to immediate surgery or die.

I had a colostomy bag, then a take down, with scarring from the second surgery, so a third corrected everything.

I did enjoy telling the doctors and everyone else in range how much "I loved them all" when coming to)

Anywho, I was told I would be on predinzone and some other drugs and a highly restricted diet the rest of my life and probably have more surgeries and alot of pain. Diet restrictions included high fiber products (whole grain etc.) milk products, nuts, spicey food, etc.

To this day I eat and drink whatever I want, have had NO recurring flare ups (what I was diagnosed with is Chrons disease, similiar to irritable bowel syndrome, and they say they dont know what causes it, or what the cure is) and I have TAKEN NO meds for it. I do TONS of fiber, milk, nuts, and SALSA, hey, I live in SO CAL, how can you not eat salsa and mexican SPICEY FOOD.

Moral of this story? You are gonna have to learn for yourself, and pay close attention to your own body.

All replies most appreciated. Listening to my own body seems to be the key. I think I'll have the berium enema to determine the amount of diverticulosis, and take it from there. Supposedly, the enema x-ray is superior to a colonoscopy for evaluating diverticulosis. I'll keep you posted. Thanks all again.

Joe B.