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J-pouch surgery recovery & question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/22/2015 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Seeing two surgeons out of state over the next few months to discuss surgery (one at CC and one that was at CC but is now at Northwestern.)   My main concern is recovery time.  I orginally thought I just wanted a perm ostomy so that I could be one and done and back to life a lot quicker, but then I realized I could be giving up a chance at the j-pouch, so I decided to try it.  I am concerned about recovery time and how much time is spent away from work.  Luckily I have a desk job so I hope that I would be able to return somewhat quickly, but I would love to hear from those who have had the surgery in 2 or 3 parts and how long it took them to feel well enough to go back to work after each surgery.   My main problem when I'm flaring now is that I feel crappy right after I eat....I assume this is much better after the j-pouch, you just may need to go soon after eating based on what you eat.   Would love to hear your thoughts on these topics.  Thanks!
Posted 7/22/2015 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
I had a two step procedure. The first surgery...since a lot is done at once...was pretty intense. I had a complication of an abscess that formed and I ended back in the hosptial, needed to have it drained, ect. so that set my recovery back about a month. My surgery was at the end June that year and I would say by the middle August I started to feel human again. At the time I didn't work outside the home (stay home mom). But if I did I would have been able to go back to work. So that would have been about 9 weeks from my surgery date.

Then, that October I had my reversal surgery (step 2) and from that I recovered very quickly. I could have gone back to work in three weeks time.

I always say: Hope for the best but plan for the worst. Do you know if you will be having a 2 step or a 3 step? I guess that will be discussed at your apt. Best of luck!
Posted 7/23/2015 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's really individual. I know I've seen some people on the ostomy board who were back to work really quickly and others who were laid up for quite a while. You need to find out whether you would do a 2 step or a 3 step. With 3 step, I would imagine you're back to work a little faster after each step but it's an additional surgery and an additional hospital stay. Because of that, it most likely will end up being more time off no matter how you slice it. Surgery for a perm ileo is not easy either, but yes, it can be done in one step so that's less time off. I don't think you can really worry too much about time off, you have to worry about doing what will make you happy. I know it's difficult when you have a job to worry about but if you want a j-pouch, you should go for it :) Best of luck to you!
Posted 7/23/2015 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Nix,

I don't have to go after I eat, I usually empty my pouch 3-5 times a day and I can hold it when I need to.

If you go with the perm Ileo then there is more involved than a step-1 of a j-pouch. They will probably want to remove your rectum, anus and sew you up...I'm not sure about the recovery time with that.

Step-1 I was really sick but I got back to work in about 3 weeks. Step-2 I had a complication and needed to be readmitted so I was out for about 6 weeks. Step-3 I was out for 3 weeks but could have gone back sooner.

The healthier you are going into the surgeries the quicker you will be likely to heal and return to work. I have an Aflac like plan through Combined Life (supplemental hospitalization insurance), they paid me for my time in the hospital and my recovery time. They paid me about $15K for the time that I spent in the hospital.
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