Colectomy

I had J pouch surgery. My colon was removed and a reservoir or "pouch" was made out of my small intestine which allows me to go to the bathroom "the old fashion way" as opposed to having an permanent ileostomy. I am very happy with the surgery. It's a tough decision to make but the decision was pretty much made for me b/c all the meds, diets, then heavy duty meds such as Remicade all failed me.

Hey Sunspot, Welcome to HW.

There is an Ostomy board here where you will get a lot more response:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=33

Most of the people on the UC board are suffering with UC and trying medical options. We do have a few who have had surgery but the majority have not. The ostomy board is all people who have had or are considering surgery. Best of luck to you!

I respect everyones decisions to try and treat themselves, pain and blood is so unbearable after a certain point, but i could never imagine doing something like this. And already it sounds like there are mixed reviews.

I don't think there are really mixed reviews, I've yet to find a person who isn't happy they had surgery.

ByeByeUC said...
I agree summerstorm. I have gotten to know so many fantastic people who have had surgery whether it be a j pouch or permanent ileo and everyone agrees that it beats the heck out of living with IBD. It's just a hard thing for people to wrap their head around...actually living without your colon. I don't miss my icky, diseased colon one bit!

I'm still living with IBD, and even I say it beats the heck out of living with my colon. Even right after surgery, when I was going through the worst several months of my life, I still couldn't say I wished I hadn't done it. I could not live with my colon--end of story. I was incapable of holding it at all and had accidents daily, I was sick constantly, miserable. My entire colon was diseased and nasty. Yes, I still have CD and still have inflammation in my small intestine, still am on meds and trying to find something that really works, but I no longer have accidents. I still have to go a lot and do still worry about there being a bathroom available but know that if I don't find one, it's discomfort versus a public accident. I'll take that. I'm a lawyer (still currently looking for work but hope someday to be in a courtroom :D), and somehow I don't think having an accident in court would go ever well

Another happy permanent ileostomate here. I had a severe UC flare last fall, and I was hospitalized for about two weeks. My condition was declining and I was suddenly faced with the decision of surgery or Remicade. I didn't like the idea of taking a strong immuno-suppressant for the rest of my life, but tried Remicade in the attempt to end the flare and avoid emergency surgery when I was so weak and ill. I ended up reacting to one infusion of the drug with excruciating joint pain. At that point, I was soooo excited for surgery. I just wanted my colon out of my body!

Surgery gave me back everything I love in life. No more pain from UC or side effects from drugs. I feel strong and healthy again, work full-time, eat what I want, go out with my friends, travel, do outdoors sports like snowboarding, hiking and backpacking. I have absolutely no regrets. Living with an osotomy pouch is very manageable once you get the hang of it.