Considering ileorectal anastomosis...

well, I don't have crohns, so I can't speak much on that. I don't know that they do j-pouches on crohns patients as much as on UC ppl. though. Have you talked with a surgeon about it yet? For the ileo getting in the way... have you tried a belly-band type wrap? Nothing fancy or expensive- I bought a bunch of cheap tube tops from Amazon, & wear them under my clothes to keep the bag tight against my body. Only when I go to work, or when I'm wearing something tight. But they work great. You can buy really pricey "ostomy wraps" too, but I bet they're the same thing. Althouh I can see where leaning hard against your mid-section might be tough. I personally was always a little too frightened to try a j-pouch- the chance of horrible complications are pretty decent. I also wasn't a jpouch candidate due to a fistula- every surgeon I spoke with thought the presence of the fistula raised the Crohns possibility to the point that they wouldn't do a j-pouch on me. Will your surgeon do one for you? On a totally different note- I LOVE classic cars! I was the proud owner of a '77 Volare & a '72 Charger.. then my daughter was born & I needed reliable cheaper transportation... my next hope is either a Valiant or a Dart. I'm envious of your career choice!

Thanks for your replies! Unfortunately I'm not eligible for the j pouch due to having crohns instead of UC. Seems it wouldn't heal in my case and even the ileorectal anastomosis has a 30-40% chance of causing a flair within a year of the procedure in which I'd have to go right back to having an iliostomy.

Eva Lou: Cool cars! I definitely love my job! I'm of the mindset that if you can't be passionate about your job then it's not worth doing it. I do have a kind of belt with a bag for support which helps. I lean on cars much of the day though and used to put a lot of weight against my stomach like when picking up a transmission or other engine or frame part. Often times I'm also working without a lift laying on the ground or even laying on the engine under the hood. I miss the days of just doing something without worrying if I'll catch my bag on something or lay on it as I sleep better on my stomach.

I am replying to your question about having the ileorectal anastomosis. I had this procedure 6 years ago for colonic inertia which is basically a dead bowel, complications from a previous surgery where I was not given antibiotics after a surgery and set up infection that killed my large intestines long story short. Any how, I have had success with my surgery, I did spend a week in the hospital after the surgery with NG tube for 5 days but after that I have done pretty good. I've learned what I can and can not eat which doesn't stop me usually from eating those things from time to time. There are things that I do not like about it but none of them are medical problems really, but it is quite embarrassing when you have to run to the bathroom suddenly due to eating at the wrong time and those horrible gurgling noises that are constantly being made in your belly, and the horrible horrible gas that is produced UGH!!! otherwise I have done very well post op. I do not have the J-pouch I had the anastomosis with the rectum still intact. My surgeon told me to eat a high protein low carb diet and to stay away from fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta and breads basically since these things tend to cause me to have a blockage and those aren't fun. I take Reglan frequently to help with the emptying of my stomach when things don't seem to digest well but I would do it all over again if given a second chance. Hope this helps.