Colon Surgery: A Patient Story

After living for nearly a decade with recurring abdominal pain and digestive issues, a recent patient of Wyoming Surgical Associates is finally finding relief, thanks to a surgical procedure performed by colorectal specialist, Dr. Gough.

Deb, a resident of Gillette, had spent ten years dealing with diverticulitis, a condition in which small pouches form in the wall of the colon and become inflamed or infected. These flare-ups often cause sharp abdominal pain, fever, and digestive problems. For years, medication would temporarily relieve the inflammation, but the problem kept coming back.

By early 2025, those episodes had become more frequent and severe. Instead of an occasional flare-up, Deb was now experiencing painful attacks nearly every month. Then, just a few months into 2025, Deb noticed the pain felt different.

“I had just learned to live with the diverticulitis,” Deb said. “But when this new pain started, I knew something wasn’t right.”

To investigate what was happening, her gastroenterologist in Gillette scheduled two tests: a colonoscopy, which allows doctors to look inside the large intestine, and an upper endoscopy, which examines the esophagus and stomach. Deb had been dealing with chronic acid reflux as well as diverticulitis, making both exams necessary.

During the colonoscopy, doctors found something concerning. A blockage in her colon indicated that part of her intestine was narrowed and was not allowing material to pass through properly. That discovery led to a referral to Dr. Gough in Casper. Yet, just days later, Deb’s condition worsened.

“I ended up in the emergency room and found out I had colitis,” she said. Colitis is inflammation of the colon, which can cause severe pain, diarrhea, and bleeding. “That’s when I thought, ‘I can’t live like this anymore.’”

At Wyoming Surgical Associates, Dr. Gough confirmed that Deb’s long history of diverticulitis had caused extensive damage to her colon. Together, they decided on a left colectomy, a surgery that removes the damaged portion of the colon.

In Deb’s case, the left side of her colon, including the descending and sigmoid sections, was diseased. These are the parts of the colon most commonly affected by diverticulitis. Dr. Gough used a robotic surgical system to operate through several small incisions rather than one large one.
Robotic-assisted surgery enables surgeons to operate with precise instruments while viewing the area in 3D. Compared to traditional open surgery, it typically means less pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery.

“I hadn’t had major surgery in 40 years, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Deb said. “But Dr. Gough and her team explained everything so clearly. That made a big difference. I felt very confident in my procedure being done robotically.”

Once the damaged portion of Deb’s colon was removed, the healthy ends were reconnected, restoring normal bowel function. It was a change Deb felt almost immediately.

“I didn’t realize how bad things were inside my body,” she said. “I couldn’t eat much; my bowel movements weren’t normal. I don’t even know how I was getting by. Having that bad section removed and being able to go to the bathroom normally again is unbelievable.”

Years of repeated infection had left Deb’s colon badly scarred. Scar tissue can cause the bowel to stiffen, twist, or even stick to nearby organs. In her case, part of her colon had become attached to her pelvic wall and collapsed into the pelvic area, making the pain even worse. Using robotic instruments, Dr. Gough carefully removed that scar tissue and freed the colon, a delicate process that requires advanced training and experience.

“I feel really lucky that someone in Wyoming can do this kind of surgery,” Deb said. “You don’t always expect to find that level of care so close to home.”

Although Deb had to travel from Gillette to Casper for her surgery, she says the process was much easier than she expected.

“You just stay in a hotel the night before, and once you get to the hospital, they take care of everything,” she said. “One minute you’re being wheeled down the hallway, and the next thing you know, you’re waking up, and it’s over.”

Today, Deb is recovering well and has had no complications or infections. Most importantly, she says the daily pain that once controlled her life is gone.

“I wish I hadn’t waited so long,” she said. “If you’re having repeated diverticulitis attacks and you’re afraid of surgery, I get it. But I’m so glad I did this. Dr. Gough gave me my life back.”

Whether you need a colonoscopy or a complex colon surgery like Deb’s, Dr. Gough can get you on the path to relief. Learn more at https://wyosurgeons.com/surgical-specialties/colon-and-rectal/.