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Hello. I had some questions about the j pouch surgery. I'm 5 foot 3 and weigh 200 pounds (prednizone didn't help with a 20 pound weight gain). I'm worried about having surgery done at my size. My doctor has said I'm a candidate for surgery. I'm very scared about this. I just got married last March and it sucks going through UC while trying to be a happy newlywed. I've tried tons of different medications and none of them work except prednizone and it doesn't work that great. Plus the side effects are so horrible there is no way I want to be on this medicine for the rest of my life. Is it safe to have surgery at my weight? I have good vitals, never had high blood pressure or cholesterol, no other health problems besides my UC. I walk somewhat regularly, about a mile every two or three days and I do crunches and push ups every morning. I was actually up to 220 pounds, but I've managed to shed 20 of it so far, but it's been slow going since the prednizone kind of counteracts that, ya know? Anyways, my main fear is complications with the surgery because of my weight. Any here have the j pouch surgery while being overweight?

 Reply posted for tsmcguire.

I wanted to let all who looked up this post to know some information i found out specifically about being over weight and having Crohn's disease. Per my GI doctor, I found out that there are certain unusual cases of Crohn's disease that contribute to the creation of fat in the body. It has something to do with how the absorption of nutrients is handled by your small intestine and colon. I really take notice to the information my GI doctor tells me because he is either part of or running the testing of any new medications and treatments for Crohn's disease in the USA. If you add the over eating of food from all of the stress, it is sort of a double whammy.

 Reply posted for tsmcguire.

I too am in a very similar situation. Thank you very much for posting. I'm 5'4" and up to about 200lbs. Most of my weight gain is due to steroids. I felt like I was the only overweight person with UC! I am due to get surgery withing the next few month. I keep putting it off becasue I'm so afriad. Does anyone know if any other weight will come off after the surgery? Thanks!

 Reply posted for tsmcguire.

I had surgery back in 1998.  I, too, was (am) overweight -- I was 5'6" and about 225 at the time of surgery (yes, thanks to those lovely steriods).  I had little problem with my surgery.  I had a very small portion of my incision (about 1 inch) that didn't close, but was treated with some packing and was healed quickly.  I would say that the surgery was worth getting off the drugs.  Today, I hardly even take immodium, except for when I eat salads!!  God bless and good luck.  Let us know how you do!

 Reply posted for tsmcguire.

I have Crohns disease and i had a resection in april of 2008. I too am a big girl and my weight had no affect on my recovery at all. Granted, going to the bathroom, (d) was not that much fun because of having the incinsion. But that was about it. Granted, there can be complications, but dont let you weight push you away from having the surgery. Look at the pros and cons of each. But i was around 260 ast 5'8, i too was on steriods. That medication is a devil and a angel at the same time...lol Good Luck!

 Reply posted for tsmcguire.

Thank you, thank you for sharing this information.  I am 34, was diagnosed with UC in Jan of 2006 and am now preparing for j-pouch surgery.  I am worried about my weight (5'8 - 200lbs) because I have gained about 40lbs in the last year due in part to steroids.  What's worse, is that most of this weight is in my belly because I have been eating less fiber and veggies and more simple carbs.  I actually secretly hope to get a tummy tuck out of this before it is over :)  Thank you for helping me formulate my list of questions for the surgeon regarding healing my incision, etc.

 Reply posted for tsmcguire.

I think i might have some good insight on how the surgery might go for you. I too was told by my GI doctor and surgeon that my weight was a concern before my bowel resection surgery. I am 5 foot 11 and 1/2 inches. Just before my surgery i weighed 274 lbs. I was also on steroids (prednisone) for 7 months before my surgery. (Before i was on steroids, i weighed 230 lbs.) I was also told by both doctors that my healing would take much longer than usual because of my weight and the steroids. My bowel resection surgery happened in November of 2007. I had 2nd surgery because of complications. Since the second surgery went through the same 13" incision from the first there were issues trying to close the opening fully post operation. This is one of the things that the surgeon had warned me about with being overweight. Having a larger belly made it harder get a good closure of the incision. This is what being larger around the middle can do. I was in the ICU for 7 days, and had a giant open wound that needed to be cleaned out every morning. I am, this Wednesday, finally getting off my wound VAC. My incision is finally completely closed. My suggestion to you is to talk to a surgeon that would be doing your resection. Ask tons of questions. Don't be afraid to ask how many surgeries they do a year or month that are just like yours. Ask the surgeon how many resection surgeries he/she does on overweight people. Ask what their success rate is for the surgery. Ask what the typical outcome is for this surgery. I would suggest you write out all of your questions before you meet your surgeon. Make sure you go to a hospital that is convenient for your support family\friends to get to. You may not have as many issues as i did, but it always is better to go into something being prepared and aware of the possibilities. Good Luck!