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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/31/2015 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody,

I have decided to go with a J-pouch after 2 years of consistent flaring. As of now, my surgery is Nov. 16th at the Cleveland Clinic. My surgeon will be Dr. Hermann Kessler doing a three part J-pouch procedure.

When I first met him, he was having a bad day and we both butted heads because I felt he was brushing me off and he wanted to meet with other patients sooner. I came back the following day to continue the consultation and he was much more pleasant. Since them I have mixed feelings about him. He is the head of laporoscopic minimally invasive surgery and specializes in pouches. His experience says a lot about him. He is very proud and a bit stubborn I can tell. I don't know how/if he will listen to my questions and input on the 10th for pre-op testing and meetings. I want to be firm in my preferences and want him to be able to do his work properly.

Can anyone tell me about their experience with Dr. Kessler? His surgical techniques are what I'm most interested in. For example, does he leave the rectal cuff in place to avoid incontinence issue? Does he use a Pfannenstiel incision (horizontal below the belt)? That last one is very important to me as a young man.

I'm also interested in any other experiences with other colorectal surgeons at CC. Just in case I need someone else.
Posted 10/31/2015 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't have my surgery there so I can't offer any info about that but you may get more responses if you go to www.jpouch.org. There are quite a few members there that had their procedure at CC. Best of luck!
Posted 11/1/2015 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
A while back atwoodt recommended Dr. Remzi at cc
But checking j pouchers and the ostomy board is a good idea.
Posted 11/1/2015 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there. I had my jpouch surgeries (3 steps) at Cleveland Clinic. My surgeon was Dr. Huang. The colorectal surgeons work together, maybe it was just a personality conflict between you and your surgeon. I was admitted through the ER. After a couple days of testing the GI team determined I needed surgery. Dr. Huang appeared at my bedside on a Thursday evening and sat there for a half hour talking to me. I described how poor my quality of life had been and she said that nobody should have to put up with what I was dealing with. She then told me she would see me in the OR on Saturday morning because she couldn't let me go too much longer in that condition. After all of my surgeries she would be in my room everyday early morning to check on you.When you see her in the office she treats you like you are the only patient she has to see that day. She listens to you and explains everything you want to know. I trust her totally and feel that she and her team is the reason I'm here today. But it's not just the surgeons, the colorectal patient recovery floor H50 and H51 are just wonderful. They treat you like a person and most of the nurses and aides remember you from your previous surgery. I admit I was terrified of the surgery process but being on the other side I couldn't have asked for a better experience. If you have other questions please ask.
Posted 11/1/2015 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
I've heard Dr Remzi is the man at CC too but I had surgery in california so I can't offer any personal experience. I can tell you that I am thankful that there is an possibility of a future without worrying about UC. Being UC free would change the entire course of my life. I definitely don't want to get old, living each day worried about incontinence, meds or QOL.
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