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Ileostomy Reversal surgery

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Posted 6/17/2013 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

I'm desperate to know who has done the ileostomy reversal surgery and how it went, how you are feeling now, any regrets? I've had my ileostomy since Oct 2012 and I feel great but it can be a real pain changing the bag, wearing certain clothes and very expensive. I eventually will need to make a decision as to go ahead with the reversal surgery or have the ileostomy permanently. I am a 31 year old single female and I don't know what to do!

Thanks
Melissa
Posted 6/17/2013 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Melissa, you'll probably get more responses in the Ostomies forum. Did you have a j-pouch constructed? Or would you have a straight re-connect (for Crohn's perhaps?)?
Posted 6/17/2013 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Melissa,
Are you a 3-step jpoucher finished step 1, perhaps? That is my situation- I actually have decided more or less that I do n't want a jpouch as an ileo suits my lifestyle more (I dread the *possibility* of urgency, butt burn, pouchitis, pouch failure etc although the stats indicate the vast majority of jpouchers are very happy) but each surgery goal has its own unique risks and pros/cons. If you have issues changing the bag, or wearing clothes then that is a technical issue that usually has very easy solutions- as Pluot says, go to the ostomy forum for help there. You should really speak with surgeons as to the various risks and problems, and how they are dealt with, before deciding one way or the other. Also, the k-pouch and BCIR are additional alternatives that offer a sort of hybrid between jpouch and ostomy lifestyle and associated pros/cons as well, although I get the impression that it is more often (but not always) failed jpouchers or ostomates who opt for those. Jpouch.org is a great resource for those questions but the ostomy forum here seems to have lots of jpouchers.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 6/17/2013 4:41:04 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2013 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
I would encourage you to look into the BCIR and k-pouch surgery options. A lot of people that get those surgeries are unhappy with their ileostomy or j-pouch. I am having the BCIR done on the 28th as my primary surgery.
Posted 6/18/2013 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Best wishes, Meredith610. I have a feeling that if I were to have unacceptable issues with my end ileo (not that there is any indication I will) I would go for a BCIR myself as I just dont want to ever face continence issues. Purely out of curiosity, what is the hospitalization time expected, and if this is your primary surgeries, Is it usually in two steps a few months apart (or 3) as a jpouch usually is?
Posted 6/18/2013 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
"I would encourage you to look into the BCIR and k-pouch surgery options. A lot of people that get those surgeries are unhappy with their ileostomy or j-pouch. I am having the BCIR done on the 28th as my primary surgery."

Who is a lot of people? You throw statements like they were facts. I'm going to throw statements also. From what I've read, there is a 90% satisfaction rate for J pouch surgeries. I would say, there are a lot of people satisfied.

On the ostomy board here, people that have a bag are generally satisfied.

You know...here, I felt bad not providing something to back me up.

" Even the ones who had experienced complications still felt that they were better off than before. Beforehand, it is understandably common for people to agonize over whether to have surgery. Afterward, I’ve heard a lot of people say they wish they had done it sooner. Surveys have been done on J-pouch (and ileostomy) satisfaction. I recall seeing satisfaction rates typically in the 90%-95% range"

colitis.popularthinking.com/crohns-colitis/j-pouch-satisfaction-464888.html
Posted 6/18/2013 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Pro! I appreciate it. :-) I think whatever type of surgery a person chooses is highly individualized and personal. For me, the BCIR is the best fit for what I am looking for. There are only two hospitals in the country that do the BCIR (LA and St. Petersburg, FL). I am going to Florida and the expected hospitalization time is 18-21 days for everyone after this surgery. Since most patients have to travel so far to have the surgery done, they like to wait to send you home until you are well on your way to recovery. The BCIR is a one-step surgical procedure, whether it is your first procedure or done after an ileostomy or j-pouch.
Posted 6/18/2013 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
my husband start his treatment with Dr James Libby, first his PSA was 146, then after his first hormone therapy in April, he just took a PSA test last week it was 201 now they are going to take another PSA and referred him to se Dr William Whaley Oncologist-humatology, they told me those are great doctors for that, any suggestions please
Posted 6/18/2013 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
No regrets on my reversal. But I wanted the jpouch so my mind was set on the recovery post reversal. It is another surgery, an easy surgery, but the adaption to the jpouch can take time and be frustrating. I think you need to evaluate whether or not you want to go through another learning curve which will require time and patience.

Sue
Posted 6/20/2013 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Whoa, dude, calm down! LoL! I said "alot of people who get those surgeries (i.e. BCIR) are people who are unhappy with their ileostomy or j-pouch". I didn't say that alot of people who get the ileostomy or j-pouch are unhappy. There is a difference between the two statements. And I got my facts from a clinical study (http://www.bcir.com/clinical-studies.php).
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