FLGrammy

OMG, I too suffered years with diverticulitis before my sleeve surgery in 2014. I have to say searching this site was not as helpful as one would think, lots of information on constipation but not much on our condition. I will give my story. I was hospitalized three times since my first attack in 2002 and dealing with too many bouts counts of the lovely drug cocktail required when that pain hits. One of the first things my research of gastric procedures told me was constipation would be an issue and was one of the first questions I asked my surgeon. He was adamant that this would not be an issue and weightloss, eating less and healthier would help. I also was concerned about Water and fiber intake, if I didn't drink a gallon of water daily, I would feel it in my gut immediately. I was self pay and after my first appointment the surgery was scheduled quite quickly, no nutritionist appointment was needed just the blood work, EKG and approvals from my lungs specialist and GP. Surgery went well, I was home in two days and on my way to the new me, water was rough at first but didn't seem a problem since the first few weeks were mostly liquid/pureed protein and yogurt. By the time I returned to work two and a half weeks out, I was drinking my 64 oz of water and eating soft foods/thick soups and back to walking 3 miles a day (exercise before surgery also helped keep things moving) The next evening I started having abdominal pain, it was not like the pain I was use to from my diver attacks, by 10:30pm I was concerned about a leak or stricture so I called my surgeon who personal called me back and advised me to go directly to the ER. Luckily the hospital near my home is where my surgery was preformed so they often see gastric patients. By this time I was on several pain and they could not give me anything on the off chance surgery would be needed. After several tests, scans and xrayso, I was admitted with a severe diverticulitis attack, I was hospitalized for a full week. This was not fun since the I was not originally admitted to the gastric floor and theyear attempted to feed me a full high fiber diet, yeah sure, I was in tears and begging for just yogurt of course the brought me sugar filled Yoplait which I could not stomach at all. I was moved to the gastric floor and my husband was allowed to bring me plain Greek yogurt, something I have always eaten and between that and the scrambled eggs and soup, I made it through and was sent home with instructions to include a daily stool softener. At my six week check-in I asked my surgeon what could be done and whether surgery for the diverticulitis was an option (my gastro had advised when he saw me in hospital this might an option) he advised it was and agreed to preform a left hemi-colectimy. I had the additional surgery in January 2015, this required a 5day stay on the bariatric floor, I was already down 65lbs so recovery seemed a little faster, I was back to eating solids, drinking 64+oz of water, walking and of course pooping by the time I was released. This surgery required six weeks off from work, which I took even though I felt like I could return after three (I do computer work). Today I am over 1 1/2 year out and I have reached my goal weight and seem to be on my way to losing more. I have lost over 100#. I can eat almost anything except corn and popcorn as my new belly and intestinal tract don't like them. I follow my sleeve protocol, no fluids 30 minutes before or after meals, only 3 meals a day, 60-80 grams of protein daily, protein first followed by veggies and whole grains. I have a high fiber breakfast daily, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup fiber buds and 1 tsp fiber supplement. If have always been regular so if I go one day without movement I will add a stool softener or occasionally senna. I walk every day after lunch and dinner for at least 45 minutes, and my water intake is back up to almost a gallon a day. I know my story is not typical, but it sounds like yours story is starting out on a similar note. If I had to do it over again I definitely would, I am much healthier now. I went from a size 22 to a 6, no more sleep apena, no more pre-diabetes, no more blood pressure meds. Both these surgery procedures require a lifetime of change and it has not been easy, but the end results are worth it. Please feel free to ask me any questions and good luck with you journey. Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App