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2nd thoughts on 2nd and 3rd stages of colectomy/ileostomy surgery

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Posted 7/22/2015 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have just recently had colectomy and ileostomy surgery and the plan is to get a j pouch in a few months, then hopefully get rid of the ileostomy all together in the future. Yes the bag is a pain but I am having second thoughts about the 2nd and 3rd stages of surgery... I am scared to have to use the bathroom normally again. I fear frequent, urgent bathroom emergencies and I don't want that to be apart of my life AGAIN after getting rid of the bag..
Is there anyone who has had an ostomy temporarily? How well did you adjust to no longer having the bag/did your life go back to normal?
Hopefully this makes sense haha
Posted 7/22/2015 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
My ileostomy was temporary while I went through the j pouch procedures. I had a VERY tough time with my ileo. So for me when the time came for my reversal I was very eager to start using my j pouch. I never had any issues with leakage, accidents or urgency right from the beginning. I made a very quick adjustment to my j pouch. It's been very good to me the past five years. Love it.
Posted 7/22/2015 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
My experience is very similar to Marianne's. I had a temp ileostomy for 2 months and now have a jpouch. I love it! The only accidents and urgency I had was during my hospital stay. Once I left the hospital I only dealt with abdominal pain which subsided a couple months later. I was nervous for how my life would be with a jpouch also, but I had a very hard time adjusting to the bag and knew I wanted to try to get rid of it. Granted the bag is better than the disease, but it was still very difficult for me to handle. I'm so glad I went the jpouch route. Only difference between now and pre diagnosis is that I go about 6-8 times a day and it is looser. But I'm off all medications and feel great! Definitely worth it in my opinion! Good luck with whatever you decide!(:
Posted 7/23/2015 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
I totally understand where you're coming from- I was not a j-pouch candidate, but prior to my discovering that, I too had huge 2nd thoughts about attempting a pouch. For all the same reasons as you. It really seems like a roll of the dice- many ppl. do fine with the pouch, & love it. Others absolutely hate it, & have urgency, irritation, etc. The big deciding factor for me (aside from not even being a candidate!), was when I looked at the pros & cons of both- it appeared that the problems ppl. experience with a perm ileo are ones that can be managed at home, with various supplies, the help of a decent WOCN, etc. The problems ppl. seem to experience with a pouch appear to be ones that need medical intervention- surgery, medications, etc. Once I realized that, I knew which was best for me. I had no desire to be on any meds, or under the care of a GI or surgeon, again. I'd advise reading up at j-pouch.org- very extensive forums! Good luck!
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