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A question for you jpouchers

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Posted 6/16/2014 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, so I have step 2 scheduled for July 16th and the final reversal is scheduled for August 29th. Here's my dilemma. I'm in the process of signing up for classes in the fall and am worried that I won't have enough control to be able to go to class, especially so soon after surgery. Is this a valid concern?

I'll be 28 in August and had my step 1 this past January so my muscles back there haven't been out of use for that long. How long did it take for you to feel comfortable leaving the house? Thanks!!
Posted 6/16/2014 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Recovery is an individual thing. Some people have a j-pouch adjustment period and some don't. I didn't use my "muscles back there" for over two years and I never had leakage problems except when I had pouchitis. With my surgeries I always hoped for the best, but expected the worst. I never made big plans for right after surgery.
Posted 6/16/2014 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I left the house right away; higher frequency but life was doable.

Sue
Posted 6/16/2014 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
I always found at least the first week of college optional, some times even the 2nd week. Nothing really happened in class besides the instructor going over the syllabus and the basics of the course materials. I'm sure with the surgeon writing a note for you that you'll get all the extra time and any additional help that you need.

You should see what happens after your 2nd surgery before you even worry about the 3rd. It took me a good 6 weeks to recover from step-2. My surgeon wouldn't even think about doing the take-down on me until a full 12 weeks between surgeries. My take-down is next week so I can't comment on what to exactly expect after being reconnected.
Posted 6/16/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)

Rabbit81586 said...
Okay, so I have step 2 scheduled for July 16th and the final reversal is scheduled for August 29th. Here's my dilemma. I'm in the process of signing up for classes in the fall and am worried that I won't have enough control to be able to go to class, especially so soon after surgery. Is this a valid concern?

I'll be 28 in August and had my step 1 this past January so my muscles back there haven't been out of use for that long. How long did it take for you to feel comfortable leaving the house? Thanks!!

No way, I would withdraw from fall semester and not return until the spring. It looks like you only have six weeks planned between steps 2 and 3 -- if you have complications or the pouch isn't fully healed by August 29th your reversal could easily be delayed. I'd be less concerned about having control for class and more concerned about being discharged from the hospital in time for classes!

For what it's worth, I had my reversal on July 31 last year and I decided to withdraw from fall classes. It turned out that I was fine by mid-August and I could have gone, but I didn't want to run the risk of being uncomfortable in class or performing poorly because of fatigue, adjustment, etc.

Is there any way that you can have Step 2 earlier in the summer and aim to do the reversal earlier as well?
Posted 6/16/2014 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Can you withdraw after the 1st or 2nd week without any consequences from the school? Just as a backup plan or a part-time schedule for the 1st semester? I know that there could be financial aid issues that you have to deal with because of that.

You can always delay the 3rd step until the Winter/Holiday break and allow your j-pouch to heal longer. The 3rd surgery is fairly simple and quick compared to the 2nd surgery. My surgeon is fitting me in (scheduling me) for my take-down before his other surgeries for the day.
Posted 6/16/2014 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
It's so tough to say because it could go either way. You just won't know until the times comes. I would never say it isn't possible but you need a plan B.

I was totally fine two weeks after takedown and it was back to life as usual. Some people have a longer adjustment period. When do classes start? Could you start a little later? I'm not sure how that all works.
Posted 6/16/2014 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the responses.

Hmm, yea i figured I was pushing it. I think what I'll do is take some of the online courses the school is offering. That way even if I'm in the hospital a couple of days, slow to heal or have some sort of complication then at least I can do it while I'm comfortable at home or whatever.

@Pluot - I wish I could schedule it earlier but my surgeon is very adamant about having steps 1 and 2 at least 6 months apart. They scheduled the third one for 6 weeks later and I know that could always change. My surgeon is very good and I healed really quickly even after years of disease so hopefully being much healthier going in will make things go even smoother. But as it stands the 29th of August is schedule but is also being used as a place holder since I do go through the VA system (unless you live under a rock, i'm sure you're familiar with how that system works, especially with everything thats come to light recently).

With all of that said school is definitely a priority but not my number 1 priority at this point. I've taken the past year off due to having a baby, my UC problem/surgery and a motorcycle accident last year...plus I have my second kid in december. So again its not number 1 but i'd like to get it done ASAP. So i'll probably do the online route for that semester so at least I'm knocking a few credits out but still covering all my bases.

As usual thanks again everyone!
Posted 6/17/2014 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
If you can do online, that sounds ideal. I know it depends on the school and what your future goals are, but I really wanted to make sure that I didn't end up with incompletes or withdrawals on my transcript, so I was a lot more cautious. In any case, it's not typical to do a reversal just six weeks later and I really would not plan anything around that assumption (especially considering it's the VA!).
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