Anyone stayed with temp. loop ileo after having j pouch construction?

Just wondering if anyone decided to keep their temporary diverting loop ileostomy and keep their non-functioning pouch inside? If so, how have things gone for you? Sorry for two posts...just two completely separate questions.

I think the problem of waiting, isn't with the pouch itself, but the integrity of the sphincter muscle. This is the same situation as having a sub-total colectomy and holding off from j-pouch construction. I think I read somewhere that the sphincter can be out of use for about seven years, after that continence becomes an issue, and decreases the longer you wait.

Hello this is my first post on this site. In Nov 2011 I had a total colectomy and j pouch construction due to UC. I was out of the hospital about 6 days post surgery and was healing well ahead of schedule. Feb 2012 I had my take down procedure to reconnect the jpouch. Once again I was released with in 48 hours post surgery. Everything seemed fine no issues. Over time I never really regained a comfortable lifestyle constantly struggling with incontinence and cramping. I also had several bouts of pouchitus. I ultimately decided to have surgery once again. The doctor was suppose to remove my jpouch and do an end ileostomy. However once he was inside he realized that due to previous surgeries the amount of scar tissue complicated everything so he did a loop ileostomy leaving the jpouch intact. I am about 3 weeks post surgery and have not experienced any issues with the pouch. Usually in the morning I have to sit down on the toilet because there is a little mucous discharge but nothing to major. My number one battle this time around is bag fitment. My stoma is retracted and I have not had good luck with my bags. I am currently trying different styles and believe the convex are definitely going to help.

uc logic - I am thrilled to hear you have had such great success with your jpouch! That's wonderful! The reason I am questioning going forward with it is that I have had a decent time with my loop ileo and I have heard that although some do well, others have a lot of complications and were happier with their loop ileo, as gmark and brideout appear that they were prior to their takedown. It feels like we just take a roll of the dice with this decision....some do great, others do not. How do you make a decision like that?! I actually have just scheduled my takedown for Jan. 7th, but as you can see, am still a little on the fence. Did you have to take a lot of Metamucil/immodium prior to takedown to thicken your ileostomy output? I am trying to figure out if there are correlations between what is happening prior to takedown and what happens after...Also, did you have any cramping after takedown?

gmark - I am happy to hear you are doing well again. In hindsight, did you have any indications that your j pouch was not going to function well? I am sure you thought it was going to be ok or you wouldn't have done it, but hindsight is always 20/20. Can you think of any clues that pointed to the possibility of future issues? Also, what was the cramping like? How would that happen? I have had occasional cramping when my jpouch gets fuller and then have trouble emptying.

Brideout - Wow...you have been through the ringer. I am hopeful that you will find what works for you with the new loop ileostomy. I use a Hollister two piece system with a convex ring and an adapt barrier and have found a great fit. I have a stoma that is pretty flush with my skin. I also crust almost every time right around the stoma and just make sure to get all the extra powder off. I know that they don't recommend that, but it has worked wonders for me in keeping my skin from getting raw around the stoma. Recently, I also became aware of barrier rings that are convex, so if the convex wafers alone don't work, you might try a convex ring as well. Good luck to you.