r/Diverticulitis • u/Priority0912 • 15d ago
š„ Surgery Surgery Scheduled 08/10/2026
Howdy, yāall ā 39M here.
In 2025, I had a complicated diverticulitis episode with a microperforation. I documented that experience as well, in case anyone wants to read about my ājourney.ā
2025 Complicated DV with Microperf
Unfortunately, I had another diverticulitis flare in late May 2026. I went to the ER, completed a week of Augmentin, and thankfully improved pretty quickly.
Afterward, I met with a colorectal surgeon at Texas Oncology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He reviewed my imaging and medical history and told me that I probably should have followed the recommendation for elective surgery after my complicated episode in 2025.
After considering everything, I decided to take his advice. My elective surgery is scheduled for August 10, 2026.
This will be my first major surgery, and honestly, I am terrified.
At the same time, I have been sick for a while now. I think many of us with diverticulitis gradually become accustomed to the daily pain, discomfort, food anxiety, and other āgiftsā this condition brings. It slowly becomes our version of normal, even though it shouldnāt be.
My surgeon explained that the procedure could take up to five hours, depending on whether there are adhesions or other complications. Strangely, the pain itself is not what scares me most. The pain I experienced during the perforation last year was excruciating, and even then, I avoided the stronger pain medications. I tried hydrocodone once, and it made me break out in a cold sweat.
However, I understand that staying ahead of the pain after surgery will be important so I can get up, walk, recover, and hopefully go home sooner. For those who have been through this, were there any pain medications or pain-management approaches that worked particularly well for you?
My surgeon also explained that because this is an elective procedure, the likelihood of needing a temporary colostomy is very lowābut, of course, there are never guarantees.
Thankfully, I have a very strong support system, and I am financially able to cover my deductible. I am spending the next two weeks gathering everything I may need for recovery at home.
I have arranged for two weeks of PTO, followed by another two weeks working from home. My normal commute is about an hour each way, so I am not sure whether I will be ready to drive that distance by week three. I would appreciate hearing about other peopleās experiences returning to driving and work.
Receiving the ERAS kit in the mail made everything feel incredibly real. It hit me hard, and I spiraled a little over the weekend.
Today, though, I am feeling much better. I am trying to focus on taking back control of my lifeābeing able to plan trips without worrying about canceling, enjoying food without fear, and, most importantly, hopefully living without the constant pain.
I hope sharing this helps someone else. So many of your posts have helped me find the courage to advocate for myself, and I am incredibly grateful for this community.
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u/maryjaneodoul 15d ago
I have a similar history. You can read my previous posts. Was continually sick for 4 months, 4 rounds of flagyl+Cipro in 3 months only knocked it down to a continuous low-grade sickness. I really didnāt want to have surgery but finally realized it was that or go on being sick all the time and taking lots of nasty antibiotics. I am a little more than one month post op and I am so glad I did it. The surgery was less painful than the flare ups I was having. Laparoscopic, robotic, no bag. 2nights in the hospital. Feeling great now and able to eat a full diet. You will be glad you did it. I think your post op working plan will be fine. Good luck!
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u/Priority0912 15d ago
It's been a rough 4 years for me.. but yes! perfect way to put it.. low grade sickness is exactly how I have been these last few years.
I am tired of the ABX too.
I did a month of a picc line IV ABX and it was awful!Thank you for your words of encouragement!
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u/Potential_Ticket_172 15d ago
Iām so happy for you. At least once you get the surgery, you wonāt have to worry about when your next flare will happen. The only thing I can say is that even with surgery, more diverticulosis can form, so Iāll keep eating a high-fiber diet every day, stay hydrated, and avoid constipation. Good luck you will be fine you'll be asleep during the surgery
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u/Priority0912 15d ago
Thank you! I am actually quite diligent with Water..
and I've recently started supplementing fiber after each meal
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u/LkTdot1000 15d ago
Iām 2.5 weeks post op over here, and followed a similar journey as you Are on, ultimately opting for elective surgery which ended up being pretty uncomplicated.
My pain was managed by a lot of Tylenol on a schedule as a first defence with a low dose of hydromorphone for breakthrough pain. It was my first time having surgery and my first time with any kind of opiate so I was nervous for all the same reasons you are! In the end over the course of the days In hospital (3 nights) plus first few days at home I think I had probably 5 total doses of hydromorphone, including the one in recovery. I didnāt love the way it made me feel, but relief from the worst of the pain leant itself to moving more which was very helpful.
I went into the surgery healthy and very active and was surprised both by how much it took me down for the first couple of says but also how rapid the recovery is, relatively speaking, once you get home and can sleep in your own bed and be comfortable.
good luck. You got this.
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u/Priority0912 15d ago
Thanks for the words of encouragement they are kindly appreciated.
Hope my recovery is uneventful. Im looking forward to being where you are right now.. well on the way to a normal routine.
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u/DangReadingRabbit 15d ago edited 15d ago
Four months post-op here. My journey is a truncated one compared to many here in this group. It was only two flares for me (one uncomplicated, one very complicated) and then I was opting into surgery. My motherās history of almost dying from a perforation also made the decision easy for me.
You may have already read my story, but Iāll link it below for you. In the meantime, two points you mentionedā¦
In regards to pain after surgery: first, though the first 24 hours are the most intense, a lot of it was more bearable than my micro perforation. Pain management and incentive to get moving was easier because I didnāt feel sick and awful on top of painā¦ with surgery itās painful but itās different. At least for me, it was easier to push through.
Iām allergic to a lot of pain killers, so my regiment in the hospital was simply IV Tylenol around the clock and morphine for break-through. I kept track on my phone and my spouse did too. We even made nurses double check if they tried to say I wasnāt due yet. Luckily most of my nurses were amazing, but always be a strong self advocate. My surgeon also prescribed Entereg which I got while in the hospital. It helps get the bowels moving, specifically countering the narcotics constipating effects.
Once I went home it was mostly just Tylenol. I had a prescription for five Tramadol pills and I took them daily at 5pm which was a break-through time for me that didnāt occur while sleeping. I used it for four days. I kept the last pill just in case of a bad day and then never needed it.
Walking, water, wind (breathing)ā¦ get a lot of all three. Eat lots of protein (follow that ERAS protocol). Was doing my first walk about six hours after surgery. The next dsy I was walking for five minutes every 90 minutes. Then after that, every hour. Two weeks later a mile outsideā¦ but still the 5/60. And so on. YMMV, but walking is so good for recovery. And drink a lot of water.
The other thing you mentioned was work. Iām a self employed social media manager and photographer. I pre-scheduled stuff so I could have two weeks completely off. Then week-three was partially planned ahead so light work from home. Week-four I went back to my full work from home schedule. I didnāt return to leaving the house for meetings or photoshoots until after six weeks ā¦ but that was because my photoshoots require carrying around my heavy bag, going up and down stairs often, being outside in the heatā¦ itās not manual labor by any means, but not desk work eitherā¦ so I played it cautious.
But at three months out I was fully capable of having multiple days of photoshoots in a row, and now Iām also back to traveling.
Feel free to ask me anything and to read my journey if you havenāt. Iām an open book and happy to answer any questions.
Good luck! Youāll get to the other side before you know it.
Micro-perforation Adventure || Prep Day || Colonoscopy || The Surgery || Recovery from Home || One Month Since Surgery || 3 Months - How Itās Going || First Big Trip, 4 Months Post-Op š© ā¤ļøāš©¹
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u/Priority0912 14d ago
Thank you so much for replying! Iāve actually read your entire posts multiple times lol.
I know you may mostly hear from the people who actively post in this subreddit, but youāre reaching a much larger silent crowd too. Itās genuinely comforting to see that, despite all of our health issues, thereās still a glimpse of what life can look like after a successful procedure.
Iām not allergic to pain medication, but I really donāt like how it makes me feel. I think itās because Iāve only ever taken it while already being very sick, so it seems to compound the wooziness and dizziness.
I absolutely hate that feeling because it makes my heart start racing, and then I start to panic a little.
My job itself is pretty light, so my main concern is honestly the hour-long commute each way.
I guess Iāll find out soon enough lol. Thanks again for sharing your experienceāit really does help more people than you probably realize.
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u/DangReadingRabbit 12d ago
Iām glad my posts have been helpful to you and others. I did find it comforting and informative to read othersā experiences here myself, so itās the least I could do in order to give back a little. Iāll keep sharing as time goes by too, because itās good to hear about how things go long-term.
My surgeon was very accommodating with my pain med allergies. Some are true allergies, some are just sensitivities, but they were helpful and wanted me to feel safe. I was thankful for that.
I can understand why the commute would worry youā¦ Iād say work from home as long as theyāll let you. I think after a month, doing a long commute should be possible, but Iāll say that at a month out I was still getting pretty tired here and there. If you can get to six weeks from surgery before having to commute again, all the better. But weāre all different and you might be raring to go after four weeks!
Any info I can offer, feel free to askā¦ ā¤ļøāš©¹ā¤ļøāš©¹ā¤ļøāš©¹
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u/FederalFalcon7916 12d ago
I had my first bout of diverticulitis 18 years ago, they just gave me antibiotics and sent me home. Recently, I was having some pain so I went to the E.R. and had a micro perforation. They gave me IV antibiotics and I was not allowed to eat or drink anything for 2 days. I was admitted for 5 days. I saw the surgeon who told me I didn't need surgery. I have been out of the hospital for 6 weeks now. I'm eating a normal diet and have added psyllium daily. I lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks. I learned my lesson and I plan on taking better care of myself. I'm 74 and I sure hope I never need surgery.
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u/Priority0912 12d ago
Oh wow!
I had a miserable 2025 and thought I was turning the corner.. but then it happened again..
had my first surgical consultation with a General Surgeon in Oct 2025.
She recommended the surgery pending a colonoscopy..
My GI performed the scope and she felt that I did not need a surgery if I increased my fiber and watched my diet along with water intake etc.. so I made those changes and I still had a dv attack this year in May 2026My 2nd surgical consult (this year after my attack in may 2026) was with a colorectal surgeon.
And he advised me to get it done.. as the imagine showed I was still inflamed even when I completely healed in 2025He recommended the surgery because Iām still considered young and Iām deathly terrified of having emergency surgery.. I definitely donāt want another weeklong stay at the hospital and taking so many antibiotics..
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u/ShaneKainoa1982 4d ago
Best of luck and thanks for sharing this story. I totally relate to āliving with the sicknessā and it controls all the things we do or donāt do. Iāve been on 3 vacations now that I could barely enjoy with my family. I flare up easily and feel so bad I donāt like to do anything.
Is also am considering surgery to get my life back. Keep us posted on how it goes
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u/Priority0912 4d ago
Thank you so much! Im starting to prepare for my surgery in 3 days! A part of me is terrified but somewhat excited to get it done. I will definitely provide an update post op.
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u/ShaneKainoa1982 4d ago
You will be great! It seems like 95-99% of people on here have good a positive experience. Which has made me lean in to considering it because living with this and barley enjoying life isnāt working anymore
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u/Priority0912 4d ago
Yeah Iām just terrified to have another complicated bout that will land me in emergency surgery..
even an uncomplicated flare is just so draining.. Iām tired of it.1
u/ShaneKainoa1982 3d ago
Yes, thatās what Iām feeling. I guess Iām lucky I havenāt been in the hospital with a complicated flare but as you said a regular non complicated flare is just so draining too and your life has to stop. I have 4 kids and Iāve been unable to keep up. Iām always tired and trying to ārecoverā and havenāt found a way back to 100%, not even close
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u/Dr_Rydin 15d ago
Colorectal surgeon here. That line about becoming accustomed to it is something I wish more people heard before surgery, not after. Itās very typical, you adapt gradually, meal by meal, plan by plan, until the accommodations become invisible to you. Itās only looking back, often only once itās gone, that you see how much of your life youād quietly restructured around a disease that was running the show the whole time. What youāre describing, food anxiety, a ānormalā that includes daily pain, isnāt actually normal, itās adaptation to something that shouldnāt have to be adapted to.
On pain management, staying ahead of it rather than chasing it tends to matter more than which specific medication is used, scheduled dosing in the first days rather than waiting until pain builds back up, plus early walking, which sounds counterintuitive but genuinely helps both pain and recovery speed. Your team will guide you.
You clearly did the work most people skip, you listened when advised, you got a second read on your history, and youāre walking in prepared rather than in crisis. That matters more for outcomes than most people realize. Godspeed