Why isn't the BCIR considered gold standard, as opposed to jpouch?

As I am on the fence for having to bite the bulket on surgery for my UC, I have only just started to stumble on the Barnett Continent Ileostomy Reservoir (BCIR) internal pouch as alternative to the jpouch. At the BCIR forum everyone seems ecstatic over its function vs the jpouch, and the claim is made that surgeons push the jpouch because the BCIR simply isnt done by most facilities... Is this true? Is the BCIR really more likely to result in good post surgery life? Certainly a lot of BCIR people seem to be ex jpouchers. Just wondering what is the catch for the BCIR if it is so much more reliable than a jpouch?

www.bcir.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1262324825/8

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 11/6/2012 6:41:27 AM (GMT-7)

I was going to say it looks very similar to a K-pouch, which I would definitely look into if J-pouch wasn't an option. Personally I think people just like the idea of feeling more "normal" with everything coming out the right holes and not having to deal with any kind of stoma on the tummy. But I can tell you if my J-pouch fails or becomes unbearable, I would certainly consider both the K-pouch and BCIR options over a permanent ileostomy.

Plus, keep in mind that the majority of people with J-pouches ARE happy with the ultimate outcome and are out living their lives, not looking online for support. Most of the people coming to these forums are only the smaller percentage of people who are having trouble and looking for help and advice.

Remember you are talking to people with *failed* pouches, so their views may still be a bit biased even if they say the J-pouch was successful for a period. I have spoken with many people who are quite happy with their J-pouches and have been for years, but you can say that for just about every surgical option out there. It's all so individualized that it's really hard to make any kind of generalizations about how well ANY of the surgical options work.... Everyone has different experiences, different things they're looking for, different priorities on what makes them happy with a procedure, etc.

But it certainly makes sense to explore and learn as much as you can about all your options so you can decide what's best for you. So keep researching and asking questions, by all means!

Man, Suebear sounds so good, she should be the spokes person for J pouches. From the way she writes, it's like she feels better than me pre-UC. lololol

Somedude, you make me laugh out loud.......always! But it's true, I feel better these past 11 years with a jpouch than I did with active UC. It's important for everyone who is considering surgery, to know, that there is no *perfect* surgical solution. K-pouches are great but many people have to have valves re-done. Jpouches are great but don't work for all; Ostomies are great but come with challenges in skin care and the cost of supplies. One really needs to evaluate their life style and pick the surgery that best suits them. None of these surgeries will give you life like a normal healthy colon does. It's just not possible. But I think those of us here with ostomies, jpouches, and kpouches, are all happy with our choice.

Sue

Probiotic said...
Byebye UC- i am consulting with a highly experienced j pouch specialist who has done them lapro for many years. I am very fit. I know, on paper it all looks great... Still, if I spend 5 minutes on jpouch.org or here and read all the horror stories a chill goes up my spine. Maybe it's not rational. OtOH even 10% unhappy pitcomes is not much better than one round of russian roulette with a six shooter- anyway looks like (low dose) pred dependence is making the decision for me. Havent tried triple antibiotic therapy yet, or xifaxin, and want to at least try them both before i get sliced and diced though, if someone will rx me for it.

@somedude- yup- to the tune of that 90s Nike commercial "like mike"- "like sue, i want to be like sue" lol.

I know it looks like you are reading a ton of horror stories but its just a small percentage. And it's because you are reading them on a support forum. Think about all the people that have to have this surgery....and believe me there are lots. They are on with their lives not posting on support forums. I don't need to be here but I like to try and spread a little positive vibe around. There is a lot of negative. Good luck with everything. :)

I'm glad this has been posted, as I've also been looking into the BCIR. Unfortunately, it seems like the procedure is almost non existent here in the UK. First off, I think it's important to highlight that the k-pouch and BCIR are not the same procedure. The BCIR is an improvement on the k-pouch, greatly reducing the need for further surgical revision.
I have to say, I'm not sure that the "stuff coming out of it's correct hole" comment, is really all that important to most people here.I think those of us wishing to free ourselves of "the bag" with further surgery, are looking for an option that maintains continence and has the lowest amount of bathroom visits possible. From what I've read, the average bathroom visits per day with a BCIR, are 2-3. That's the same as I was BEFORE UC!
If you search this board, you will find quite a few posts from people who have no desire go the "normal" way again, with the bad memories of so many years of illness. I'm not knocking the people who have/are considering, the j-pouch. But the BCIR also sounds like an excellent alternative to an ostomy, and I really wish it was more available here in the UK.