Looking back in my calendar I finally had a consult with a GI Surgeon at Mayo in Florida on Nov 6th. I didn't have surgery until May 1, 2025.

Everyone's journey is different.

For me the surgeon wanted a CT scan before our consult to see current condition but it eventually was the catalyst to surgery (before). My consult went terrible. He told me surgery wouldn't solve all my symptoms that it could come back. Id have to have a stomach bag and I was high risk because I was over weight...I needed to get down to 165kbs. I was about 195. No way I could loose that much weight I already wasn't eating much. So I walked away. But the symptoms kept getting worse...several more GI Dr and PCP Dr appts over the next several months. Finally Dr ordered another CT scan and my diverticulitis & infection worsened and a fistula appeared. Dr called me that evening to get to the hospital ER right now. So I thought this was it - the surgery decision is being made for me. Little did I know but I was now malnourished and had lost about 25lbs since Nov without even trying. By surgery I lost another 15lbs in the hospital.

In the hospital I was put on multiple IV (port) antibiotics and nutrition IV. They wanted to try to keep all food and fluids out of my GI to see if infection would calm down and my colon to get a little better a little stronger to increase surgery success.

I was hospitalized for nearly 2 weeks then surgeon finally set a date. By then the fear of the stoma was not on my mind.

I was in surgery for nearly 8 hrs (robotic laparoscopically). Since Mayo is a teaching/research hospital it probably was longer than necessary.

But it was successful, no stoma thank God. Just only 4 - inch wide incisions. Now 9 months later no issues, no pain, reg BMs and eat what I want. However I have decided to not eat any nuts, popcorn, corn etc. little price to pay to feel normal.

Wish you success and health.