I went into hospital yesterday for my reversal...however I woke in recovery and was told they didn't operate to close the stoma because whren taking a look at my pouch they found a stricture and were unable to dilate it. I got into a right old state and said I just wanted the bag got rid of etc, my surgeon said it was very unwise for him to proceed. Ive got to go back for an mri scan to see what the problem is and check for fluid build up. Does this make sense to anyone...can fluid build up lead to a stricture? Might I lose my pouch?

Wotsti,

I am going to say there may be a possibility that fluid build up can lead to a stricture based upon my experience and hindsight.
I had an MRI done after my successful takedown (for a suspected bowel obstruction) and they remarked in my report that I had fluid build up in my remaining rectal cuff. Six months since my takedown and I have been battling a stricture that was most likely present at my takedown (never told this right after surgery but was later informed after 2 more in office dilations that I was dilated at takedown time due to this issue).

I am now six months out and really battling the stricture and chronic pouchitis (which may be the result of the stricture or the stricture may just be from the pouchitis inflammation). I will know when I go in for my 4th dilation under sedation next month.

Listen to your surgeon. I wish now if this was related in any way to my situation, my takedown was postponed. My surgeon feels comfortable he can correct this stricture issue, but I have had so many issues since takedown I am losing faith.
Take the extra time needed to correct the problem (you may need some dilations) and I think you will have much success with your pouch in the long run.

Good luck.

How can fluid build up cause a stricture?
Sorry to hear of your problems...Urgh it just sucks doesn't it.v

Hey,
So sorry to hear the surgery didn't go through. I know how discouraging it can feel to have your surgery pushed back because of complications, but be patient it's best to go in when your a 100% it sounds like your surgeon just wants to take the best rout to avoid further complications. I saw on your wall he wants to wait for the new year; it's right around the corner, you just have to be patient even though I know that's very difficult with all this. .

I don't think the fluid build up causes the stricture, but if there is fluid build up, that is evidence of inflammation and/or leak at the anastomosis (pouch connection). This may mean that the stricture goes deeper than what is typical and possibly why he was not able to dilate you. The fact that he was unable to dilate when you were under anesthesia is quite telling by itself because in most instances, they can break up that stricture if you are anesthetized. Very severe strictures require surgical intervention, such as a sphincterotomy or sphincteroplasty. If, in fact, you have Crohn's disease, this can also factor into how to best proceed.

In any event, the last thing you need is to be trying to use your new pouch while dealing with a severe stricture. You may think you are miserable now, but that misery would be multiplied many times if you had the take down as planned. Disappointing, to be sure, but your surgeon was doing right by you.

Let us know how this turns out.

Jan

Thank you for explaining that to me Jan that makes more sense. And yer I know its better in the long run so I have to keep remembering that.

Hi...I am sorry to hear that you had this experience...especially with having gone under expecting for your bag to be gone. I had similar news last week, but couldn't proceed due to a hole in my pouch. I found out the day before the scheduled reversal and it was hard. I keep thinking that my pouch will be stronger in 8 weeks when the re-scheduled surgery is to take place. Keep thinking positive...the reversal will happen and your bag will be gone. Take care.

Urgh sorry to hear you had a similar experience, its a horrible disappointment. I hope they can get you fixed soon too I'm still waiting for my MRI scan...!

wotsit57, I had a very similar experience. I was supposed to have a two step process but woke up after the "last" surgery to find my bag still there. I cried and then took as deep a breath as I could and figured I had become a bag expert anyway, what's another three months? I had an x-ray of my pouch the day before my scheduled takedown and had to cancel due to a stricture. Takedown came ten months after my first surgery. I know how disappointing it is to wake up to something very different from what you expected. And, really, you want the best circumstances under which to have your takedown so think of waiting as doing just that. Good luck and hang in there!