Just checking in, near my anniversary date, to give encouragement to anyone who may be thinking about having this surgery, and to say "hang in there" to those of you who are having problems.

For me, the j-pouch saved my life, so I just want to say that it CAN and DOES work!

Namaste.

I love reading stuff like this.

Dear Mick,

Congratulations on taking the first step. Good luck with take-down. Post if you have questions. Always happy to help.

Congrates.

its really encouraging to hear that. May God give us all the healthy and happy life.

btw, i have also completed 2 years of my first (of 3) surgery. . I m satisfied with my j pouch and hope it goes on.

tc and enjoy life

Thanks. I needed to read about a success story! Did you have any issues in the first year? or was it smooth sailing after your initial recovery?

David.

Congrats on your 4 years.

I just realized I will be completing Year 1 with my J Pouch August 31.

Lew

Dear David,

The only issues I had during my first year happened within DAYS of leaving the hospital. I had complications from my surgery, big ones, specifically I threw a pulmonary embolism and had renal shutdown, sort of a whole cluster of things went wrong, but I had a second hospital admission to get me through those "bumps" and I survived and thrived.

I had the usual itchies, but used Calmoseptine Moisture Barrier Ointment (and still do occasionally) and it really works.

I keep things slowed down by taking 4 (generic) Imodium in the morning and 4 at bedtime, and a probiotic called Flora-Q once a day. I don't have any dietary issues, thank goodness.

It did take me about 6 months after takedown to get weaned off the dreaded Prednisone, which I had been on forever, but once I got off that and my adrenal glands were operating on their own again, I lost my "moonface," a typical side-effect of Prednisone, and lost quite a bit of weight that I'd put on while on that miserable (but effective) drug.

And that's about it.

Of course, going to the bathroom isn't exactly what it was WITH a colon, but I'd rather have to go a few times a day instead of, say, twelve times a day with the UC.

I hope things are going well for you!