First, let me say I just found this site a few days ago and it has been a blessing just reading about other people's experiences. Nothing takes the place of hearing from people who have been there and gotten the t-shirt. Now a little about me. I'm 13 years into my wonderful UC experience (sarcasm, of course). Diagnosed in the fall of '94, went on meds and was good for about 5 years. Went off meds completely and was still good for about 3-4 years. Now I've flared up 3 times in last 4 years. I'm a football coach and the stress and lack of sleep and rest seem to really hit me. Every time I've flared up it's been during the season. Tired of missing pregame meals and losing weight every season (not to mention having enough to worry about without all of this mess) I'm considering surgery. My problem is trying to work around my off season schedule. What exactly is recovery time for a 1-step procedure and how long will I be out of work? Also, if I have to go the 2-step route, what are the recovery times for each of those? The only blessing right now, football-wise, is that the head coach I work with has Crohn's so I get a little understanding.

I just went to my surgeon yesterday and asked the same question and was told that each surgery 1&2 are 6 weeks off work, and about a week in the hospital, but I think that everyone heals differently. I was told that the 2nd surgery is again a major surgery and I will be tired. I am having my 2nd surgery on January 14th and we are hoping that I will not have to have a third surgery, but he won't know until he gets in there and if there is elasticity and not much pulling when they form the pouch. So keeping my fingers and toes crossed for a successful 2 step!

Hey all,
Let me start off by saying that the surgery has given my life back. I was to the point where I was getting sick at work due to the colitis. It's a long tough road, but in the end it is worth it. For the first surgery I was off work for two months. I had an obstruction and also gallbladder issues though. If I wouldn't have had those issues at week three post surgery, I would have been back to work at week four. It's really about how fast you can adapt to your pouch. It's a life change and it can be hard to take at first. The second surgery was a breeze to me even though I had obstruction that put me in the hospital for a total of 8 days. I was back to work after just two weeks though. It really does depend on the person though. That was just my experience.

Best of luck to you both!
Heather

Hello,
Welcome to the site, there is definitely a lot of info on here, glad you found it!
In terms of time - I had a 2 step surgery, the colectomy and pouch creation done in the first surgery and then takedown of my temporary ileo during the second surgery. My surgeries were done 6 wks apart. I was in the hospital each time for 6 days. The first surgery was difficult in terms of pain, no energy, limited mobility, etc. It took me about 4-5 wks to feel okay again. The second surgery was easier in terms of less pain, walking and moving easily within a couple days.
A lot of people seem to go back to work about 6 wks after takedown if there are no complications, but it depends on the person and on their job. You just never know! Good luck with your decision.

A large factor to this surgery is how you are going into it. How bad is the UC, do you have other health issues, how many medications are you taking and so on...
Everyone is different, but overall I'd say total recovery is close to a year for most. For a 2-step open surgery, you can count on 6+ weeks out for step one, and 3+ for the second, minimum. And of course, it depends on your job. Can you sit at a desk for a while or will it be necessary to be physical...

I'm in the middle of a flair up right now. I'm only on 1 med. No other health issues. The actual on field coaching part is pretty physical, but other than a couple of weeks of spring practice in May I won't be back on the field on a daily basis until the end of July. The rest of my job is a lot of work but I can take it pretty easy, physically. Thanks to everyone for the comments so far.

Well, first of all, let's all be thankful we have UC and not Crohns. UC is curable. I had it for 15 horrible years. I danced with glee two days after my colon and the pain, were removed.
My first surgery was January 20, 1988. The bag was a blessing--I was free. No more running, no more pain, no more fear, no more horrible accidents. My second surgery was March 15...I needed three, because I waited so long to have it, that my surgeon had little to work with. I had the final in June...the take down. I was 27, and it took me about 3-4 weeks to recover. Although living with a jpouch is not easy, it beats the heck out of UC. I do not regret having the surgery.

I have had UC since 1995..It has ben hell but not as bad as most after reading the forums..I am currently scheduled for the first surgery on January 9th but may change tomorrow at my appointment.

I understand that it takes a while to heal but will I get back to my busy, fun lifestyle?? I go to sporting events, concerts and play sports, not to mention chasing my little girl around..Is the J-pouch the answer and how hard is it to deal with (control issues, etc.)

Thanks
Arty

Good luck Arty and Coach and let us all know how things are going. I will post how my surgery went as soon as I get out of the hospital hopefully by the 21st!

First off, welcome aboard coach. Im new to the board as well, but know what youre going through with the bouts of colitis during the season. I not only participated in sports in High School with flareups, but I coached as well afterward. As you know, UC can be really hard to manage while doing either.

Regarding the 1 step or the 2 step operation though...I was offered both before my surgery but it was explained to me that the risk of the pouch leaking was increased with the one step (for some its necessary, and not an option). But the 2 step op allows the pouch time to heal and settle, and therefore a better chance of avoiding that complication.

Barring any other problems though, its sounds like you should have ample time to recover enough to coach again in July. Heather hit it right on...it really does give you your life back!!

Arty, Im 5 months post takedown, and Ive been able to attend several pro football games and concerts since then. Control isnt a problem anymore, and I can hold things comfortably for a considerable amount of time until I find a restroom....COMPLETELY different than it was with UC. One thing I did have to get over is running to the bathroom every time I felt a twinge that I had to go. Back in colitis-land, that feeling meant I had to be 30 seconds away from getting to a toilet OR ELSE...but not anymore!!!

Heres wishing you and tbraz the best on your upcoming surgeries!! Good Luck!!

Bill

I had very bad ulcerative colitis for 3 years and it absolutely crippled me towards the end. I had to go with the surgery otherwise I probably would have died if I had gone much longer. I had the colectomy on August 8th and then had a perforation of my pouch and had emergency surgery August 13th where a second j-pouch was created. I have had lots of complications and it took about 3 months before I could go back to work. Even though I went through hell, the surgery has still been worth it. I can ride in the car w/o having to stop for a bathroom and I can eat food again without worrying!!!! It was worth it! I have a life again.

I've had my j-pouch for seven wonderful years. Unfortunately this past June started the downward spin of my pouch. I've developed a fistula. We won't get into the gory details but I'm afraid at one point or another, I will lose the pouch.

I did have a one step in November of 2000. It was a grueling experience although complications were few and recovery was steady.
The best part of all you go through is the comfort you take in not having to know where every bathroom is on your trip to work, grocery store, mall or whatever you partake in. That's the best part.

You learn to live with making the right choices in food, what bothers you, what doesn't bother you and what to absolutely avoid! We butt burn folks know all about what to avoid. Of course, everyone is different and we all don't share the same experiences, but most of us will tell you that it was worth it.

Best of luck with your decision...

Well my 1st surgery is now officially scheduled for January 23rd..Thanks for the comments

Thanks to everyone for the help. My Dr. put me on prednisone the first of the week. Planning to be on it for about a month, weening from week to week as I go. We're going to scope it next Monday (woo hoo) just to see how bad it is. Basically, he's telling me there really is no right or wrong answer for me right now. It's probably going to come down to whether I want to keep trying newer drugs or whether I'm fed up and ready to get rid of it. My wife works with a guy with UC. He's taking something (can't remember the name..I think it starts with and "R")that is administered through an IV every 6-8 weeks. Says it has helped him tremendously. He said his Dr. told him that he believes a cure is 15-20 years away. As long as all goes well her co-worker plans to try to hang on for the cure. Not my mentality! I'm leaning heavily toward taking it out and being done with it. I'm tired of the hassle.Now I'm trying to decide between the pouch and the bag. It doesn't make me tingle with excitement to think of wearing a bag, but I like the idea of being in control more...not having to worry about leakage and such...and I like the idea of one surgery because I have spring practice in about 3 1/2 months. Can anyone who's been both routes give me some pros and cons of the two? Thanks again for all the help.

CoachP,

I lived with the bag for 3 years until they removed my rectum (originally thought I had UC but Crohns so change of plans, no j-pouch for me).

Just food for thought-have you considered doing step one during one off season, live with it for a year, and the the following year do steps 2 and 3?

Erica