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Do you still see a GI?

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Posted 1/14/2009 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
For those of you with UC that have had colectomies, do you still see a GI? Is it common to see a GI still after the surgery?

My daughter had a total colectomy with temporary ileostomy in August and we were told that we no longer needed to see a GI, that she no longer had UC anymore because she had no colon. But from reading, it seems like most people are still monitored by a GI, at least until after their surgeries are completed. Is that true?

 

Posted 1/14/2009 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Your daugher will need biopsies of her pouch on an every 1-2 year basis. Those biopsies check for cancer as even though our risk for cancer is much reduced we still have a small portion (cuff) left of old tissue. You can have the biopsies performed by either her surgeon or her GI. I choose to have my surgeon do the biopsies as I feel more confident of his pouch experience. I have not seen my GI since having jpouch surgery 7 years ago.

Sue
Posted 1/14/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! Did you have your J-pouch surgery as a separate surgery than your colectomy? If so, did you see a GI between surgeries?
Posted 1/14/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had two surgeries and saw my GI once in between both surgeries. He checked the ostomy and that was it. All my directives in terms of weaning off of UC meds came from my surgeon. I haven't seen my GI professionally since then but I do run into him in town on occasion!

Sue
Posted 1/14/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have an ileostomy and haven't seen a doctor regarding it in ohhhhhh, about 30 years lol. I haven't needed to, everything's gone fine :)
Posted 1/15/2009 3:28 AM (GMT 0)

I didn't see my GI between my surgeries, but now follow up with him. I am more comfortable with him as he has known me for 20 years where my surgeon met me and did surgery and I don't care for his office much. My GI has done a scope and is knowledgable in all areas of the pouch/UC (oh & the surgeon's office is also across the hall and they do collaborate).

Posted 1/15/2009 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
I only call my GI if I'm having a problem, like a blockage, which I had last year due to scar tissue from the proctocolectomy surgery. Otherwise, I've been feeling great and don't need to see her.
Posted 1/20/2009 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
I saw my GI about six or seven months after the operation. Had some questions to ask her about this "stuff" that still comes out of my rectum.. and what i can expect if I opt to get the J-pouch connected...

She had all the answers I was looking for. also told me basically good-bye that I was cured. Don't expect to see her again unless I run into her in the GI ward when I get my reversal...
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