quote:

Does anyone know if you get rid of your risk of cancer completely by having the surgery?

I tell people I have a 100% chance of not getting colon cancer..My useless colon is in the nearest landfill
I do have a little peice of rectum left that is easily checked by my surgeon during my checkups. He left it there to help with the pooping function.
I knew it was time for surgery when my doctor told me that I had been sick every day for so long that I didn't even remember what feeling well felt like...wise women my GI doctor was.
The decision is up to you though - good luck!
hope this helps
David

Hey, Indy_Dave....my doctor told me the same thing....basically that I had learned to cope too well and had forgotten what it was like to feel well....really well! That was over five (probably six, but who's counting!) years ago. I have absolutely no regrets having had this surgery. My surgeon said the chances of getting rectal cancer in what's left of the rectum is less than 1%. I get scoped at least once a year and don't plan on having rectal cancer as an issue I'll ever need to deal with. Life, for me and my J-pouch, is absolutely wonderful!