Life Expectancy After Diverticulitis Surgery: Recovery, Risks and Lifestyle Changes

Understanding Diverticulitis and Its Complications

Diverticulitis is a common digestive condition that affects the large intestine. It occurs when small pouches called diverticula form in the wall of the colon and become inflamed or infected. This can lead to severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a change in bowel habits.

If left untreated, diverticulitis can worsen and cause serious complications such as perforation, abscesses, fistulas, bowel obstruction and peritonitis. These complications often require surgery to resolve. Understanding the complications of diverticulitis and how to reduce your risk is important for managing this disease.

Diverticulitis Complications

Some of the most common complications of diverticulitis include:

• Perforation - This is when a diverticulum ruptures and creates a hole in the colon wall allowing bowel contents to leak into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to infection and peritonitis.
• Abscess - An abscess forms when infection creates a pocket of pus near the colon. Abscesses cause fever, nausea, abdominal pain and may need to be drained.
• Fistula - This is an abnormal connection between two organs. Diverticulitis may create a fistula between the colon and bladder or vagina.
• Bowel obstruction - Inflammation and scar tissue can obstruct the intestinal opening. This prevents proper digestion.
• Peritonitis - If perforation occurs, bacteria spills into the peritoneal cavity causing inflammation of the peritoneum lining. This is a medical emergency.

If diverticulitis complications are not properly treated, the condition will continue to worsen. In many cases, surgery is required to resolve diverticulitis complications and prevent further problems.

When Surgery May be Necessary

Surgery for diverticulitis is often required when:

• You have frequent attacks of acute diverticulitis.
• Complications like fistulas, perforations or abscesses develop.
• There is an obstruction or stricture in the colon.
• Antibiotics and other treatments are not effective.
• Significant bleeding occurs.

The most common surgery is a colectomy which removes the damaged part of the colon. This may be done laparoscopically through small incisions or through open abdominal surgery.

In some cases, a colostomy bag may be needed temporarily after surgery to allow the colon time to heal. This can be reversed later through another surgery.

Risk Factors for Developing Complications

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing serious diverticulitis complications that require surgery including:

• Having a history of multiple episodes of acute diverticulitis
• Being over age 50
• Having other medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease or COPD
• Taking medications including steroids or NSAIDs
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight
• Eating a low fiber diet
• Smoking

The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of diverticulitis progression. By minimizing risks, monitoring symptoms and getting preventative screening, many complications can be avoided.

Life Expectancy After Diverticulitis Surgery

For most patients, life expectancy is not significantly affected after surgery for diverticulitis complications. However, some factors can impact life expectancy following surgery.

Recovery from Surgery

The prognosis after diverticulitis surgery is generally very good, with most patients making a full recovery. However, as with any major surgery, there are some risks during the recovery period to be aware of.

It's common to experience some pain, fatigue and loss of appetite for a few weeks after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medications to help manage this. Most people are able to get back to most normal activities within 6-8 weeks.

Some possible complications during recovery include:

• Infection at the surgery site
• Blood clots
• Pneumonia
• Accidental organ damage during surgery

Your surgical team will take steps to prevent complications and monitor you closely after surgery. Let your doctors know right away if you have any concerning symptoms during recovery.

Risk of Recurrence

For those who have surgery to treat acute uncomplicated diverticulitis, the risk of recurrence is low, around 5-10%. However, if you've had complicated diverticulitis with things like fistulas, perforations or strictures, risk of recurrence after surgery may be as high as 30%.

To reduce recurrence after surgery you should:

• Follow a high-fiber diet
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Consider probiotic supplements
• Avoid foods that may irritate digestion

See your doctor if symptoms of diverticulitis return so you can discuss options for prevention and treatment.

Risk Related to Other Conditions

Some research shows individuals with diverticulitis may have a higher risk of developing certain other conditions which can impact life expectancy. These include:

• Cardiovascular disease - Chronic inflammation from diverticulitis may contribute to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
• Type 2 diabetes - There seems to be an association between insulin resistance and diverticulitis.
• Kidney disease - Kidney impairment may be more common in people with diverticulitis.
• Dementia - Diverticulitis has been linked to an increased dementia risk later in life.

Managing diverticulitis through diet, lifestyle changes and medication can help lower the risks of related health conditions over time. Stay on top of recommended screening tests for conditions like heart disease, diabetes and dementia as you age.

Recovery Time After Common Diverticulitis Surgeries

The recovery time after diverticulitis surgery varies depending on the type of procedure performed. Some common surgeries include:

Laparoscopic Colectomy

In this minimally invasive surgery, a laparoscope and instruments are inserted through small abdominal incisions. The damaged part of the colon is removed and the healthy sections are reconnected.

• Hospital stay: 3-7 days
• Back to work: 2-3 weeks
• Full recovery: 4-6 weeks

Open Colectomy

During an open colectomy, the surgeon accesses the colon through one large abdominal incision to remove the affected section.

• Hospital stay: 4-7 days
• Back to work: 4-6 weeks
• Full recovery: 6-8 weeks

Bowel Resection

If a smaller portion of diseased colon can be removed, a bowel resection may be done. This has a quicker recovery.

• Hospital stay: 3-5 days
• Back to work: 2-3 weeks
• Full recovery: 4 weeks

Colostomy

In some cases, the colon needs more time to heal after surgery before reconnection. A temporary colostomy provides bowel diversion.

• Hospital stay: 4-7 days
• Back to work: 6-8 weeks
• Full recovery: 8-12 weeks

Follow all of your surgeon's instructions closely during recovery to prevent complications. With proper self-care, most people can expect to resume normal activities within 1-2 months after diverticulitis surgery.

Improving Life Expectancy Through Lifestyle Changes

While diverticulitis surgery is often very effective for resolving complications, recovering fully and improving your long-term health outlook also depends on making certain lifestyle changes after surgery.

Follow a High Fiber Diet

Eating a high fiber diet after surgery can help prevent new diverticula from forming. Fiber softens and adds bulk to stool to ease intestinal movements. Gradually increase fiber intake after surgery as your bowel function returns. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Drink plenty of fluids too.

Take Probiotics

Probiotic supplements containing healthy gut bacteria may help reduce inflammation and prevent diverticulitis recurrence. Ask your doctor about taking a probiotic with species like lactobacillus after surgery.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise and physical activity helps improve gut motility and maintains a healthy weight. Build up gradually to at least 30 minutes per day of moderate exercise like brisk walking. Consult your doctor before vigorous activity after surgery.

Stop Smoking

Smoking increases risks associated with diverticulitis problems and poor recovery after surgery. Quitting provides significant health benefits and improves life expectancy.

Control Other Medical Conditions

Having comorbidities like obesity, diabetes, kidney disease or COPD raise risks of diverticulitis complications. Work closely with your doctor to keep any other medical conditions tightly controlled through medication, diet and lifestyle after surgery.

Outlook for Life Expectancy After Surgery

When diverticulitis progresses and causes complications that require surgery, it's normal to be concerned about life expectancy. But with treatment, most individuals go on to make a full recovery and enjoy a normal lifespan.

The key is working closely with your surgical and aftercare team. Follow all instructions carefully during recovery to prevent post-op complications.

Implement lifestyle changes to reduce recurrence and lower risks of other comorbid conditions. Get preventative screening as recommended for things like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

While further episodes of diverticulitis could occur, with proper ongoing management the condition should not significantly impact your overall life expectancy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.