I was diagnosed with colitis in 1988 and had surgery (j-pouch) in 1992. In general my post surgery experience was very positive, my health normalized and I considered my QOL to be relatively comparable to any other healthy individual (admittedly with a few more BMs per day).
However, about eighteen months ago I started to have difficulty with BMs, specifically I felt blocked. I saw my gastroenterologist thinking it was a case of pouchitis, instead I discovered an anastomotic stricture as well as a fistula and abscess. Since then a gastreo surgeon has been able to relieve some of the blockage through minor outpatient surgery conducted under anesthesia but ultimately he has set expectations that I will need to have my pouch taken down and will have a colostomy bag. My doctor does not believe a pouch reconstruction is realistic because the sphincter has been rendered ineffective by the stricture.
I'm curious if anyone else has experience with a stricture and/or if anyone has been able to have a pouch reconstruction (successful or not) instead of a takedown.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
Reply posted for Robert.
Robert,
Thanks for your post, I'd like to learn more about your experience with BCIR. What's the easiest way to connect? I don't see a quick way to send an individual message through the forum.
Thanks!
ST
Reply posted for citystew.
I do not have a J-Pouch; however I do have an internal BCIR pouch which is made of my small intestine and is drained using a catheter 2-4 times a day. A large number of the patients who have this surgery actually have it to replace the J-Pouch . . . something you may want to reconsider. Site rules prohibit me from providing the BCIR website to you, however it is very easy to fine. Please let me know if you'd like to discuss further.
Robert
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