Posted 7/31/2014 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
Katie,
I did a lot of research before steps 1&2 surgery at the CC and everyone I spoke with said that cuffitis is a concern if the surgeon leaves too much for whatever reason. That is why I went with the da Vinci robotic system because my surgeon assured me that no matter how tight the pelvic area was, he could get a lower cut and better outcome doing it robotically. Complications from Crohns is only a real concern if you have indeterminate colitis or Crohns. So if every biopsy you have ever had showed UC and the pathology on your colon they took is the same, then you should be OK. Pouchitis is easily treated with antibiotics and or probiotics for most patients. Besides, if you do develop any of these problems after takedown, you can always have it reversed and go with the permanent ileo. I think you are giving up because of a perceived fear, which us UC patients have come to almost expect. Not everything will go bad. Only 5% of J pouch's have serious issues and they are magnified because people come on here looking for help. You seem to be doing so well after your first surgery, so steps 2 & 3 should be the same although step 2 is a harder recovery from everything I have read and experienced. Plus the loop ileo is much harder to deal with because it is about 40 cm higher and mine was made worse because the opening is on the side, is closer to the skin and my stoma is oval shaped.
Good luck with whatever decision you make but don't sell yourself short because of fear of the unknown.