Upcoming colon resectioning

I have always had constipation problems almost my entire adult life and most Dr's have said it was due to being female and not enough fiber. I ended up in the hospital for 5 days this last Valentines day with my diagnosis of severe diverticulitis with prferation. Luckily they didnt do suregery right then and there. To back up abit I couldnt get my insurance company to approve colonoscopy because I was three months shy of 50 which would have caught this thing early. I am scheduling an elective surgery to have the diseased portion removed...apporx8" so I dont have to constantly worry about possible perferation and death. I am always bloated no matter what I eat or dont and I am hoping this will help me to be normal again but it seems this might not be the answer....I have a very high pain tolerance (gave natural childbirth drug free) to two children......I just never go to the bathroom no matter what I do so this seems loke a good thing to do....until I read all the horror stories and now I am scared to deat.....should I livwith the diverticulitis and worry or have the resectioning done while I am healthy enough to recover???? This is major and I am so confused now! Please write to me  if you have any advice for me....I need your help and advice in any form to help me make the right decision!

Thanks everyone for the support

Kathy