im looking into a BCIR pouch cause after having my Jpouch removed i cant see living with my ileostomy...it is nothing like it was the 1st time i had it, nothing but watery output and im actually in the bathroom more now....plus the fact of bag on my side i cant seem to deal with.

i called the florida hospital, and some info they gave me is...the person decides when they empty.
is this the case? i mean if you get an urge or feeling that your pouch is full, can you go about your business till you find a bathroom, or is it something u have to go and empty right away?

I've had a k-pouch almost 9 years and am happy. One knows when to intubate by the feel of mild cramps. At first, they are barely noticeable and they, over a span of an hour or two, increase. So, by feel alone, one knows when to find a bathroom, but there is no urgency at all.
The number of times each day and when one intubates depends on what you eat, how much you eat and when you eat.
I usually intubate about 5 times a day, once in the morning, once right before bed, and a few times in between. If I eat a sizable nighttime snack, I might have to get up once, about 4 a.m. to intubate. But if my last meal of the day is at dinner time, I usually sleep through the night.
If you valve is working correctly, there is absolutely no chance whatever for an accident at night or anytime during the day. One is continent for gas as well, so if you eat a lot of gas-producing food, you might have to intubate just to pass the gas.
Those of us who have k-pouches swear by them; I understand most people with BCIRs are also happy. After investigating both, I chose to have a k-pouch at the Cleveland Clinic because the hospital complex is so sophisticated that I figured that if I had any complications, they could be best addressed by so many world-famous physicians in Cleveland.
Good luck!

I agree with Lynne,
When the K pouch or BCIR work well you have perfect freedom....it is easy to understand how they function and once you get used to them life is wonderful...I understand the need to be rid of the outside bag and this is a real solid option...Good luck
Sharon

I had a J-pouch several years ago, and it was pure HELL. I have had my BCIR for about 5 years now and love it . I have had some problems along the way but nothing like I had with j pouch.The surgery isn't fun but well worth it.I live in N. Nevada and chose Dr. Schiller. One becuase he is pretty close and the other is he's been doing them longer than anyone else I believe. He is also a very careing Dr. who is very concerned of your well being. If you are really thinking about t5his then you sholld call him on the phone, thats right call him he will be more than willing to talk to you and answer any questions you hav.

anyone else??

Figured I would throw my name in this ring. Had UC for ten years before I finally got sick enough to go for a JPouch. 14 surgeries and two JPouches later, I finally decided to give in and go for a KPouch. I have not looked back since and have run a marathon, several half marathons and done many other things that I never could when I was sick with UC or non-functioning J-Pouches.

I have about five bowel movements a day and they are pretty regular. I work a 50 hour a week desk job and often have the beginning of cramps while in a meeting. Putting it off until I can get away is not a problem. The pressure does build which gets uncomfortable, but it seems to me that is the same way it was when I had a functioning colon. I also have my intestines make noises the longer I wait and the more pressure I allow to build. That causes some odd looks sometimes when around others. So I try not to do it to often.

Mike S

When your continent ostomy works well, it is the best thing in the world.
The surgery is difficult and you have to be committed to making sure you are doing everything right to help the pouch heal correctly and to not rush the process.
I have traveled all over the world with my internal pouch.
The only down side is for most people, they have to travel to their surgeons.
Mine is a 4 hour drive.

I have had a BCIR since May 2007, had a jpouch for 2.5 yrs, which was pure h..., I went 20+ times a day to the bathroom, I was at the point of giving up when I found out about Kpouch and BCIR. Yes you do empty when you want, I have gone up to 10-12 hours in between, I work full time and have traveled anywhere I want. You just carry your supplies with you and you can empty anywhere you find a bathroom. Everyone ahs different ways of covering the stoma, but once you get over the surgery and give yourself a month or so for your pouch it is really simple. I do watch what I eat, nothing spicy and avoid things that do not digest well. Good luck with whatever you decide

I think a great example is how this part of the forum is not really "active". We have had alot of newbies with their kpouch/bcir and seem to be off and running and enjoying life.

It's not without it's fustrations with the dietary restrictions. Some can eat alot of foods and some cannot due to having difficulty getting stuck in the catheter. Its about chewing well and having alot of liquids.

Your own digestion and eating habits will dictate how often you need to empty the pouch. But for most, it's after a big meal and before sleeping. Some days I empty every 4 hrs and some days I can go 12 hours. You'll know when it's time because it will cramp.

anyone out there regret having a BCIR or Kock pouch?

In May 2011, my Kock Pouch will be 33 years old. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had no further surgery on it and it doesn't leak; and never has. I am truely blessed, I hope my Kock Pouch lasts me my lifetime. I was 25 years old when I was given my Kock Pouch and it was very new then. I was one of the first in the country to have one, like the first 200 in the United States. It works like a charm!

besides the obvious nondigestive foods, what food do you all stay away from cause of problems using the catheter?

Foods I avoid due to catheter clogging are:

Mushrooms, raw celery, potatoe skins, orange membranes, (watermelon gives me blockages of the digestive system)

I'm am careful with all skins on vegetables and fruits. I am careful with raw vegetables because they take longer to break down in the digestive tract, so chew well. Chewing very well and test them out with small portions to see how they affect you.

The main thing is how well you chew, you have to learn to chew your food alot more than with a colon. (Alot more) You also have to learn to drink more water, especially until your small intestine learns its knew job, to absorb water that the large intestine used to do.

My 4 year k-pouch birthday will be in May. I love it. I also have had no complications though when I saw my GI Dr Shen @ Cleveland Clinic for my regular scope he told me not to gain more than 5 lbs because the majority of K-pouch complications he sees are due to weight gain. I was surprised to say the least

I really don't eat raw veggies.
I will eat some tomatoes and pickles and I have indulged in a little coleslaw occasionally but I chew and chew, Or else its a complete disaster.
I eat pretty much any raw fruit I want without th skin except pineapple. I love it, but its impossible to chew those little fibers to pieces.
Too much of any fruit or veggie = trouble.
I even have trouble with stuff that you wouldn't think would be trouble like canned pumpkin. I love pumpkin and yes, I will eat it straight out of a can with just a little sweetener. But, pumpkin in, pumpkin out. Its not easy to get through my cath all things in moderation.

It does kinda stink though, the bad stuff like donuts and ice cream and pizza goes in and out like a charm, but the minute you try and eat more healthy you spend 15 minutes in the bathroom digging tiny pieces of undigested veggie out of your cath.
Well, its a price I'm willing to pay

There is sooooo good information in the forum about food choices, cathing, etc. Read read read if you haven't already. Lots of great insightfulness here.

Food choices can be specific per person based on digestion. But, usually skins are avoided because they stick to the side of the plastic cath causing poo to not flow out well.

Weight is funny. I know Dr Shen in the expert. But, many KPer women get pregnant and gain alot of weight and there KP is fine.

I have gained 70lbs (I'm 5'8' and was too skinny at 21yr) and have lost 40 and gained 40 etc. I'm very blessed that I have had zero problems. It is best to be at a key weight prior to surgery, but I'm 53 now and boy has it been a nightmare to keep the lbs off. I know some surgeons will not do a KP if the belly fat is too much to start with.

Best of luck!