I'm considering going to a permanent ileostomy due to chronic pouchitis for 12 years. I work on an hourly, no-benefits basis and my boss is not exactly known for his flexibility. I would like to give him a ballpark estimate about recovery time if I choose to do the surgery. If he gives me a hard time, I will quit, but I would like to make realistic arrangements so I could continue working there, if possible.

I had my j-pouch in two steps with my first one requiring about 2.5 - 3 months recovery time (I was quite ill when the procedure was done) and my second step only taking about 2-3 weeks for recovery (I was healthy going in).

I'd love to hear how long it took for any of you to recover from surgery going from j-pouch to ikleostomy. If I go through with it, I would have them remove the pouch at the same time and I thin that also means sewing me closed down there.

Thanks for you help!

Lynne

Good question Lynne, I'm in exactly the same position, considering going back to a permanent
illeostomy. I've been wondering that myself. My J was done in 3 stages,in 1992, as I had been on a high dose of prednisone for a over a year.
First the colectomy, then the creation, finally the connection, in all 10 months. I would also love to know the approximate recovery time.
Now the pouch is playing up alot, so I'm considering reversal. Heather

Of my 3 major/major surgeries...going back to an end ileo was the easiest. Mostly because I felt so much better getting rid of the chronic pouchitis that I had for 2 1/2 years. I think I took 5 weeks off of work. I'm kind of wussie when it comes to surgery. It also depends on what you do. If I remember right the lifting restictions were not was strict as they were when I had my colon removed. I think you have to look at how you recovered from the other surgeries. If I had to put a % on it...I'd say the end ileo was 50% easier then the first colon removal surgery. Hope this helps you guys. My only regret is that I put up with my j-pouch for a very long 2 1/2 years. They couldn't pay me to go back to my j-pouch!

Thank you for the info and encouraging words, Cataja. I appreciate all of it!

Glad to hear you are doing well and thanks for continuing to help after your succesful surgery.

4 weeks after my removal and reversal I took a road trip (5 hours) and slept on a very uncomfortable air mattress so I could be at my grandpa's 80th b-day. I was still very sore and couldn't walk with much confidence or purpose but I was definitely mobile. I was not supposed to be lifting much (like my 25 lb toddler) at that point. I think that after 4 weeks you could reasonably do half days and by 6 weeks you should have the stamina to do a job that is not strenuous. The vert. incision healed very quickly and caused very little pain, but the bum stitches were painful and took a long time to actually fully heal. For sure get one of those wheel chair cushions to sit on around the house and in the office if you can.
Good luck!!!

Thanks for all your replies, it is very helpful. Still haven't made a final decision as keep getting good and bad days, at one point the bad far outweighed the good and was really depressed about having to go thru all that stuff again, but now waiting for the input of my surgeon and will make a decision after that, Heather

Of those of you who went back to a permanent ileostomy, did you also have the Barbie Butt procedure? I wonder if the recovery time is longer if you have your anal canal closed.

Marcene, I see you had that surgery. Did you also have it Cataja?

kathy

Lynne,
I had a non functional J pouch for year that was treated like pouchitis, and I was miserable. So I went to an end ilieostomy 12/09 and was back at work full time after 1 month. I could have gone back earlier because I felt so much better. I was so sick with the J pouch I thought it would take me longer to recover but it did not. I had stitches on my bum also but they did not hurt at all unless I sat on the commode which spread my cheeks. Learning the ostomy bag takes about 2 weeks to get a good seal and then you'll be a pro. Make sure you get a wound care home nurse to help. Any other questions just ask. I am feeling great again. Best wishes,
Diana

Thank you! I'll let you know if/when I decide to go ahead with the procedure. I truly apprecite the advice of you experts!