Arguing with my doctor over 1 step Vs. 2 step operation

Mark N.

New Member

Joined : Feb 2005

Posts : 8

Posted 3/5/2005 7:28 PM (GMT 0)

I am at the point of shopping for a doc who will agree to a 1 step, set up the J-pouch when he does my colectomy. One doctor says "maybe", anothr says no, you need rest and 3 months heeling first. I am 62 but am in good health and have had no symptoms of UC. I have a colonoscope each year becasue of family history and they found cell changes, etc. this time. One operation sure sounds better than two!

Anyone have comments? Is one operation tooo hard to heal up from?

NDgrad03

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 1161

Posted 3/7/2005 11:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Mark!
They generally do 2-steps 60% (what my surgeon told me) of the time, and the rest are 1-steps. These are reserved for people a) in relatively good health, b) relatively young, c) with long enough small intestine to make it an option. I fit the first two, and they thought the third as well, but for some reason i just didnt have the length to the intestine. They cant tell till they get in there, so you cant count on anything! Just goes to show you never know. I think its safer anyway to have those 3 months of healing, im 4 months out and had some complications so i am still healing before reconnection, but you can really tell a huge improvement. I know someone who had a 1-step and was in virtual hell for 3months after...she was 23 like me and had no complications...its just a VERY tough operation...if i were you i would go for the 2-step...that is rough enough, trust me.
~Eileen

StNancy

New Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 14

Posted 3/26/2005 6:07 AM (GMT 0)

I would rather have a 2 step procedure than run the risk of having a severe complication that could comprimise your overall outcome. If the j-pouch fails, it might not be possible to have a second one created. Or, if you were to develop an infection you could have scar tissue or nerve damage, like I do.

I have had numerous surgeries in the last 3 years. What I have found is that taking a few months to heal, going one step at a time, has always been the safest route for me. It was when I got ambitious and tried to cut a few corners that I had complications which caused permanent damage.

Best of luck,
Nancy

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