I have had my k pouch for 10 years and all is great, but have to have a hysterectomy and Im feeling a little nervous, Im very attached to my pouch and dont want it getting damaged! any advice, reassurance etc would be very much appreciated.

hi...i have had my kp for over 30 yrs and just had my hysterectomy two mos ago. I was very nervous too. I was post menopaused but severe groin pain from a tipped uterus. With the numerous abdominal surgeries, I couldn't find a gyno surgeon to take my case. After menopause it can be considered elective. But, my internist felt a different one from whom I had been seeing and happened to be in my hmo group was top notch and takes on complicated cases.

He would only attempt it vaginally. I had other complications already from vaginal atrophy causing a host a probs. And a very tight cervix. I needed alot of internal stitches but really had little pain. My pouch and valve function has not been affected. I had tests done first to be sure my uterus was not attached to the pouch. And, I did not have a dropped bladder so didn't need to have it bra'd up (in a sling).

I can tell you that US dr's said laproscopic wasn't an option at all from all the abdominal surgeries causing too scar tissue and the scope wouldn't function. And, if they attempted an open surgery they'd have to move the pouch over and/or if it gets knicked, have a colorectal surgeon on call ready to assist and repair.

It is major surgery so you are smart to ask questions. I was very blessed I sailed through it.

I am day one from tennis elbow surgery so can't type so well and on codiene so hope this makes sense. feel free to ask me anything else. good luck, I know it's scary.

Hi Janice,
thanks for your advice, it does help to know that others have been through it and survived!
Things are a little different in the UK, I have seen the Gynie specialist and he will do the rest (he understands the difficulties and is consulting others to see how to proceed). He did suggest it will probably be open surgery with a clolectoral surgeon on call, but that I may have to go to London to have it done as there are not many surgeons in the UK who have knowledge of the K pouch. I will just have to wait and see, unfortunately the NHS works very slowly!
Sorry to hear about the tennis elbow, hope it gets better soon, must make life difficult!? Can you take codeine without any problems, i have avoided it as it can bung you up?

hi...no codiene helps cuz I have no gall bladder and have chronic diarhea...

Sounds like they are doing the right thing sending you where you need to go. Any colorectal surgeon can assist, it's really about just moving the pouch over or being there if it gets nicked for repair. It's intestine so they can do it fine.

I do suggest they do scans with contrast to be sure that they see exactly how your pelvic region and organs are positioned. I was blessed nothing was attached to pouch. My bladder, ovaries, uterus, etc all stood alone with alot of area inbetween. Except for scar tissue. If the bladder attaches to the pouch, a urologist needs to assist to I beleive. It gets a bit trickier. I also saw the urologist for a scope of my bladder just to be sure it was ok. And, it wasn't dropped at this point, didn't need a sling (bladder bra). In the US, my HMO wouldn't do the hyster and bladder sling at same time. But, that ended up ok.

I am so happy my groin pain is GONE and my bladder can actually expand better while filling up and I don't pee as much or leak as much. Being 53 sucks! first pads for the UC, then pads for hemmoraging, now pads for pee. what a bummer! ha!

Well, I am still waiting for the NHS, think it may be a long wait!!! will keep all this in mind when I eventually manage to get another consultation to discuss it. Thanks for all your help.