Funny talk with my gastroenterologist today

(Robin) #1

I’ve had severe bouts of diverticulitis for years. Finally having the offending portion of my colon removed next month.
Happily. Yes please.

Surgeon today was talking about healthy diet and said lots of veggies for fiber. I said that’s funny cuz my first big flare was due to veggies. AND when I am having a flair, they advise you to avoid veggies!

He said hmmmm, never thought about that before.

I didn’t go on and challenge any other dietary issues, cuz this guy is gonna be operating on me and I want him to be extremely fond of me! Like a small crush would be ok.

#2

Awwww, I was gonna say you gave that up? But fair enough, gotta be smart enough not to piss off the guy holding the scalpel :rofl:

(Edith) #3

I wonder if they ever think of the irony of that?

(Robin) #4

Apparently, the irony gets lost in translation.

(Bob M) #5

I think it’s another case of correlation: people who eat (or say they eat) a higher fiber diet tend not to get diverticulitis. Doesn’t mean eating fiber PREVENTS diverticulitis though.

“Based on the observation that diverticulitis prevalence is significantly higher in developed countries where diets are typically low in fiber, it has been hypothesized that high fiber intake is protective.”

https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(20)30108-6/fulltext

Of course, this study goes on to do the same thing: think that correlation is causation.

Edit: By the way, good luck on surgery.

#6

I always adored your style… :rofl:

Best luck and everything for the operation!

(Edith) #7

Hypothesized being the key word of course. As we know, it might not be the lack of fiber, but all the chemical additives that go along with the lower fiber, highly refined foods. Sigh, it is all so complicated. Do the Inuit who eat a traditional diet get diverticulosis? I would imagine their diets are pretty low in fiber. If they don’t, that would debunk the fiber hypothesis right there.

#8

Good luck Robin!

(KM) #9

So frustrating, right? My basic MO: any study that lumps additives, meat, dairy, processed snack foods, bacon, bologna, refined sugar, soda and candy into an evil nemesis, vs. Pure Plants Alone, as if that would tell me anything at all about dietary choices beyond organic vegan, goes directly into the garbage.

(Bob M) #10

@VirginiaEdie Yeah, I’ve reached the conclusion that everything is very complex. There are no simple answers. At one time, I was 100% behind CICO. But now, I truly have no idea how people lose or gain weight. None whatsoever. Certainly, insulin is a factor, but there are so many other things happening.

It’s the same for fiber. Many people will say that eating something with fiber makes them fuller. But when I do that, fiber can have issues, but even if there are no issues, I don’t notice any improved fullness.

Another issue is that someone might be able to eat fiber, and be perfectly fine. Another might need much smaller or different fiber to feel fine. And it’s hard to know why this is.

It’s like fat on keto/carnivore. Some like high fat, some like low fat, and this causes two people to disagree on how much fat should be eaten, when in reality both are correct.

(KM) #11

Totally get you here. The more I know, the less I know, and the more confusing the studies seem to become. I’ve gone from childhood innocence, to feeling pretty confident in my knowledge, to assuming if it’s something I was taught in 1985 it’s wrong no matter what, around to complete uncertainty again.

(Laurie) #12

Well put.

and

Good luck with your surgery, Robin

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #13

[Bette Davis mode] “Because they can, Blanche, because they can!” [/Bette Davis mode]

(Jane) #14

Good luck with your upcoming surgery and here is hoping for a speedy recovery.

(Geoffrey) #15

Good luck Robin. Prayers for a successful outcome.

#16

Meanwhile my grandmother (who would be well over 100 now) always said both, don’t eat too many potatoes or bread, and also she remembers a diet that worked for her sister (always struggled despite being active) which involved eating half of what was on your plate (in German Frise die helfte). Therefore, she seemed to be saying, CICO while also avoiding excess carbs?!