I have been looking into other options for surgeries because of my recurrent fistulas. I currently have a jpouch but i've had 3 fistulas and many extreme fistula repairs since the creation of it. If you've had the jpouch surgery is it hard to turn it into a k pouch? Does having a k pouch prevent fistulas from forming? Since it bypasses the rectum area? Do they close the rectum?

Hi X,
Well I never had a J pouch, went strait to the k for medical reasons but I think that I can answer some of your questions....yes, they can convert the J to a K without too many complications...it is a big surgery none the less but they keep the j pouch and can attach a valve (about 20cms of small intestine to create it)...It is major, about 2 months worth of recovery time...and yes, there are less problems with fistulas although I do not know if it precludes them completely.
I find that it is a really good compromise...for me it is better than an outside bag for the quality of life but it does have more possible complications. You need a really experienced specialist to create one, not all j pouch surgeons can do them and I would not trust anyone who does not have at least a few years of experience in it...there are 2 types, the K pouch and the BCIR which is basically the same but with a modification of the valve and the addition of a living collar although some k pouch surgeons use that technique too...
I would re-post this on the k pouch section of this forum for more responses.
Hope that this helps
Sharon