So I had the temp ileostomy for a little over a year due to nasty perianal fistulas. Did the Remicaide for the year hoping to help them heal. Had the ileostomy reversed in october and lo and behold the fistulas returned before Christmas. So I am scheduled for a perm ostomy next week. Know what? I can't wait. I felt so amazingly good w/it and thats how I want to feel everyday. Hubby has been wonderfully supportive-huge help. I had a little trouble with my self image when I had the ostomy last year but hubby never had a problem. So I finally got it thru my thick head that if the roles were reversed and it was him going thru this that I wouldn't feel any different about him either. Next tuesday can't get here soon enough. Let the healing begin!

Love your positive attitude!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck with the surgery.

Attitude makes all the difference. The 1st time I had a temp ileo, prior to the JPouch, I hated every minute of it and would lock the doors and not let ANYONE see my pouch or stoma. I was very depressed and self concious. After nearly 10 years of dealing with chronic pouchitis and low iron levels, I went for the permanent ileo in October. I feel great and I am dealing with it much better, mainly because it was MY desicion this time and not emergency surgery! I can even make jokes about having any ostomy! I told several of my close friends and family to help me stay upbeat by joking with me!! You should hear our conversations!!! I figured if I can laugh about it, I won't be able to cry about it! And so far that has been the case...No tears!! Good luck and stay upbeat!! Just think, no one can ever blame farting on you or accuse you of being anal or an a%$#shole!!

I've had my perm ilio for over a year, and I am the happiest I have been since I got sick, which was almost 9 years ago.
I do what I want, when I want, with only a few passing concerns - which are WAY less then I had with either my UC (in remission or active) or with my JPouch.
Best of luck and love the positive attitude!

Good for you for making this choice. Your acceptance of it will make all the difference. I have had my perm ileo since 2001 and pouch came out in 2003 and I have never regretted it. Have since had two babies - now 5 and 2 1/2. Drug free, eating everything, totally happy. Good luck!

You are talking my language!! I had a temporary ileostomy over a year ago to heal a fistula that abscessed and felt great. Now I am having all sorts of trouble with the jpouch and it's not even hooked up. I'm feeling as bad as when it was in use. Going next week for a flex-sig and I think it's time to talk making this permanent.

In 2006 when I had my redo, I too was tempted to keep the ostomy but was talked out of it by my surgeon since he spent 5 hours redoing the first J-pouch. Now, after 5+ years of agony and frustration, I got the perm in February.
I should have stuck to my guns and got it in 2006.
Do it and never look back.
Dave

I pray it goes well and you feel as good as I do. The perm ileosyomy is wonderful, so much better than UC or J-pouch.

I had my pouch removed last October. The only regret is that I wish I had done it sooner!! Good luck to you. I hope everything works out.