J Pouch Surgery

There is an ostomy form here on HW where you would probably get a better response. You should visit and see what people say. We have a few members who have had jpouch surgery and they are all happy and regret not doing it sooner. It's very unlikely you will still be sick after surgery, they remove the colon which is the part your immune system is attacking. It's always scary to have surgery, but in the end, you will no longer have to worry about UC and that is a wonderful thing.

I had J pouch surgery four years ago. Mine was done in two stages laparoscopically. It's a rough surgery to get thru but the end result for me has been so worth it. The first step was the hardest since there was so much involved. It took a good two months to feel human again after that. I had some bumps in the road (infection) that set me back a bit. The second step (takedown or ileostomy reversal) was very easy for me and I recovered quickly. Start to finish the whole process took me four months and then it was back to life as usual. I use the bathroom an average of 4x a day with no urgency. I can hold it for a long time if need be. I have no diet restrictions and I am off all drugs. I just take my multi vitamin and some extra iron each day.

The most important thing with this procedure is to have a highly skilled, experienced surgeon who has done a ton of j pouches.

Good luck with the new drug. But if you end up having the surgery, believe me....it can be a blessing in disguise. It's really nice not to ever have to worry when the next flare will hit.

Hi. I had a total colectemy with an ileal j pouch—anal anastomosis. All of this was done to me at the age of 4, almost 16 years ago now. I've had a pretty good life with it. Once or twice a year I get pouchitis. Or sometimes I go years without getting any. Stools are soft always, but not runny unless I eat spicy foods or taco bell. I had no surgerical complications, but recently my doctor believes I have some adhesions from the surgery but we've yet to confirm. :) mine was also done in two stages. And I had a colostomy bag for about a month on total bowl rest. After the small intestine was put back in its place The following months involves anal dialations at the doctors and lots of check ups. My surgeon that did all this was Wallace w neblett. At Vanderbilt university

Post Edited (darklazer) : 7/7/2014 6:00:01 PM (GMT-6)

Like Gottago! I'm about one year out from takedown and very happy. I usually go about 6/day and sleep through the night about half the time (the rest of the time I get up once around 3 AM). I don't have issues with hydration but I do still struggle with fiber a little bit -- no big salads for me, otherwise I'm good.

I probably would have tried Entyvio before surgery if it were on the market at the time, but after failing Cimzia and Remicade I was ready to move on. Good luck!

Live,

I had my reversal (take-down) 2 weeks ago today (3rd day out of the hospital). I am thrilled with the pouch so far, I've been emptying and it feels complete almost like before I had UC (but not exactly). I'm not eating very much right now but yesterday I had to empty 3 times and it was very liquid.

I just feel so much healthier now then even when I was in remission on 6-mp or Remicade.

about the ostomy, I had a 3-step surgery and it took me about 9 months total but living with an Ostomy was much better than I expected even though I knew that it was only temporary because I instantly felt better after my colon was removed.

thats great news good to hear. Best of luck with your recovery