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does anyone have a *** pouch. what were your reasons for having this procedure done? i have a hole in my j-pouch that might not be able to be fixed (i'll find out in my next operation on august 28) and i'm wondering if a *** pouch might be another option for me. i still need to ask my surgeons about it but i would also really appreciate anyone else's sharing about k-pouchs. thanx so much!

 Reply posted for Robert.

1. Will gas be reduced - Your brother will still have gas, however the gas will be released into his bag.  Thus, this should greatly limit or eliminate any gas pains that he has.  The gas is released into the bag and fills it in the same fashion that a balloon is filled with air.  To release the gas, the bag is simply opened when he is in the restroom.
2. Bag location - The bag is attached outside the body, typically above the beltline on either the left or right side, depending on the type of ostomy.  Most bags have a wafer with an adesive on one side which is pressed against the skin to create a bond.  The release the contents, the patient simply opens the bag and drains it between his/her legs into the toilet.  Bags are typically worn for 3-5 days and then replaced.  You should be able to find some very specific information about such appliances on this or other websites.
3. Disease causes - Again, you should be able to find specific information about this on this website.  However, my understanding is that there is a definitive genetic link with Crohn's disease.  Although, it is believed that stress can impact Crohn's, I do not believe that it can be the cause.

Hopefully, this has will be helpful.  Feel free to ask any other questions you may have and I wish your brother the best of luck with his surgery and recover.

Best regards,

Robert

 Reply posted for marian76.

You mention that your brother previously had his entire colon removed.  If this was the case, he should have been fitted with either an ileostomy (bag) or a J-Pouch at the time of his surgery.  Typcially with Crohn's, the J-Pouch is not an option due to the risk of the disease coming back.  However, if your brother does not currently have a bag, then it sounds like he may currently have a J-Pouch (no bag is worn).  If however, the doctor, is removing a section of your brother's colon, then most likely, the end of the remaining section of colon will be brought to the surface creating what is called a "colostomy".  If the entire colon is removed and the ending of the small intestine is brought to the surface, this is called an "ileostomy", which sounds like what your brother will be equipped with.  I personally had an ileostomy performed two years ago and currently wear an external appliance/bag.  Either procedure should hopefully drastically reduce your brother's symptoms.

The BCIR procedure I previously referenced is a unique procedure that is performed for patients that have the disease limited to their colon.  Most Crohn's patients are not candidates for this procedure.  Regardless, I will try to address some of the specific questions you posed in your two postings:

1. Will surgery reduce pain - Yes, it should.  Personally, I have been symptom free since having this procedure performed two years ago and my quality of life has drastically improved.

 Reply posted for Robert.

hello, i have just found this page today. i have post a message on another topic in this site today also telling about my brother´s case.

i am not english native speaker sorry for my english.

my brother has Chron for the past 12 years and next week is gonna have his second surgery, and , this time , he is gonna have the bag. i would like to have some information about the bag, is it  outside the body??Does it reduce gases and pain??  i have also had a look at the site you mentioned and i have seen that the bag is inside the body so i am not sure if that is the difference between both surgeries.

In his first surgery, 10 years back, the whole colon was removed. He has had a very bad time for 10 years, now we hope that the bag can give him some quality of life.

Thank you in advance for your answer or any advise you can give.

 Reply posted for Naomi.

Naomi,

I have Crohn's/Colitis and had my colon, rectum, anus removed 2 years ago and was fitted with a  Brooke Ileostomy.  I have had no major problems with it but am not satisified with the frequency with which I have to change bags, empty bags, etc.  These pale in comparison to the physchological impact of wearing bag.  I am very thankful for how healthy I  now am and know that many people are very satisfied with the Brooke Ileostomy.

However, I have recently been approved to have BCIR surgery, which is a modification of the Koch pouch.  I am very excited about this and have received a lot of positive feedback from other patients who have received this surgery.  Many people who have this surgery are patients with J-Pouches.  I encourage you to look into this procedure as an alternative.  Check out bcir.com