I have noticed that way more people seem to have k-pouches than BCIRs and that Dr. Fazio's name comes up over and over as one of the best doctors. So even though I am in the process of getting everything set up for a BCIR with Dr. Schiller in LA, I am now giving a k-pouch some thought. Does anyone know the price comparison? (BCIR is said to be $60,000-$80,000) What is the cost for a k-pouch? And what are the various opinions of BCIR vs. K-pouch? And of Dr. Schiller vs. Dr. Fazio?

Have you checked with your health insurance?
The success rate does not depend on which type of surgery you have done, but on how competent the surgeon is. Both types are basically the same but the BCIR people would like to think that theirs is better.

I agree with Larry, I don't think success rate depends so much on which technique is used but more on the skill of the surgeon, it is a very challenging operation. Dr Fazio is probably the most experience (he has done over 400) but even though I go to the Cleveland Clinic he is NOT my surgeon (though he did assist my surgeon in the OR). Personally I think I would go with which ever one is closer (or if you have family near one or the other) because if you have problems, a several hundred mile trek is going to be really rough.

As far as cost: Though my insurance paid for mine the total cost (including 9 days in the hospital) was around $75,000

I wish you the very best of luck!

--
katie

Hi! Firstly I must admit that my k-pouch surgery was done at CC by Dr. Fazio and I am very happy with the results.

Also, I don't know much about the BCIR in LA. However, before my surgery I did travel from my home in Virginia down to St. Pete in Florida to check out the BCIR there but was not impressed.

I agree with others that your surgeon's experience is the most important factor in your decision, but I also think the hospital itself is important. In the case of the FL hospital, it was a very small, private and FOR PROFIT institution. The Cleveland Clinic, on the other hand, is huge with a very high national reputation. I figured if a big problem arose during my surgery, heart stopping, blood loss, major infection, etc., the other doctors in Cleveland might have more success in fixing the problem.

As far as travel is concerned there are surgeons in CA who do k-pouches with great track records--one is Dr. Dana Launer in San Diego. If you check older posts you'll find a great list compiled by Holly (Chris' Mom) of other k-pouch doctors who might be closer to you. It's a long trek for me from eastern VA to Cleveland, but I figure it's been worth it.

I've noted from these boards that there is some dispute about the success percentage for BCIR's versus other k-pouches. You should look into that.

Finally, at least at the FL hospital, the required stay IN HOSPITAL was two or three times as long as the average stay in hospitals that do regular k-pouches--don't know if the longer stay costs more or not.

Anyway, good luck with your decision.

there are many hospitals in FL so Palms of Pasadena should not be referred to as the FL hospital, St Anthony's in St Pete is great and Dr Shore knows both techniques.http://intestinalcontinence.com/

Holly is correct. Since 2004 Dr. Shore has done BCIR's and k-pouches at St. Anthony's in St. Pete.

I did my research in 2002 when the written material that the BCIR people sent to potential patients mentioned only 3 or 4 places in the USA that did the procedure, one of which was at Palms of Pasadena in St. Petersburg, FL, so that is where I visited.

My reservations about hospital size and expected length of hospital stay post-surgery remain, as well as some uncertainty on the way statistics are compiled regarding successful outcomes. I know, however, that some BCIR patients are very happy with the surgery.