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Kathy, not true. Some members here have crohns and the kpouch. If the rectum is gone a jpouch is not an option. Unfortunately, some jpouches fail or the rectum is removed from disease. And some have had fistulas.

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1) What percent of K Pouchers have had pouchitis? Of those, how many cases were treatable with antibiotics? Pouchitis is less common with a continent ostomy then jpouch is my understanding from my surgeon. And, yes treatable with antibiotics.

2) What is the success rate of K Pouches? Colorectal surgeons say the rate is 10% - same as the jpouch, but for different reasons.

3) How much better are BCIR and newer K Pouch procedures in terms of slipped valves versus the older procedures? It's hard to measure because both are a small community. I would think they are equal. To me, it's about the skill set of the surgeon - PERIOD.

4) How long does it take to intubate the pouch on average? How many times a day? Depends on how good you chew your food. The food has to pass through the small holes of the catheter. I have thinner so it's fast - under 3 minutes. I don't need to irrigate (you take a syringe of water and insert it through the end of the cath, to thin out the poo), which can add a little time. I empty after meals and before bedtime. Sometimes less or more, depending of if I ate gassy foods.

5) What is the average recovery time at home following the procedure? Your surgeon should define all the specifics on how he handles aftercare. But, most surgeons require you to be home for three weeks with a catheter constanting draining into a leg beg while the pouch matures in size. It is a tiring process, you have to empty every few hours and then go longer as the pouch stretches. I went back to work in four to six weeks.

6) Of those with K Pouches, are there any members who have not had follow-up complications with the valve slipping, etc.? You will have to do a poll to get this. I bet many have eventually had a slippage. Some right away (me included) some much later. They are fixable, yes another surgery, but doable.

7) If the K Pouchers could do it again, would they have the same procedure done or would they opt for the end. ileostomy? I did not like my end ileo and have been blessed with my kpouch for over 30 yrs. I personally would continue any repairs needed to save it.

8) What kind of activities are K Pouchers limited to (if any). None, but I think deep sea diving. And maybe parachuting - something with the gravity.

9) Of those who have had both K Pouches and then end ileostomies, which did you prefer? It's no secret here that I love my kpouch.

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Kathy, thanks so much. Few more questions for you.

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1 Why did you opt for the K Pouch and not the J Pouch? They were doing jpouches at the time. My UC trashed my rectum. I still have strong anal spincter muscles to this day, but not a candidate back then and now of course since it was removed during my end ileo.

2. Can you explain the "slippage" scenario for me? I understand that there is a flat stoma that you intubate. What exactly slips though? The living tissue collar that is made up of the small intestine? I'm hazy on this issue. A slipped valve is an internal mechanism problem with the valve. It "slips" from it's original location - or changes. The cause is usually unknown why. It can cause difficulty inserting the cath and/or gas leak/poo leak (incontinence).

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1 Why did you opt for the K Pouch and not the J Pouch? They were doing jpouches at the time. My UC trashed my rectum. I still have strong anal spincter muscles to this day, but not a candidate back then and now of course since it was removed during my end ileo.