I found out a neighbor of mine has had a ostomy for the past 15 years because of colitis she lost her colon. Don't know the full details but the closed up her butt and told her this could not be reversed.

It doesn't sound like she was ever told about a Jpouch and she just knows they told her this couldn't be reversed.

Can anyone offer any input with these few details? Thanks

I can't imagine she could ever be reversed. My husband has a permanent ileostomy since about 15 years ago as well. He is also closed up. I wouldn't think she'd ever re-gain control of the muscles again. We also weren't told of the j-pouch back then. In our area, 15 years ago, the ileostomy was standard for FAP, which is what he has.

I'm not sure, but when they close things up, don't they remove those muscles too?

No ileoanal pouch if the sphincters are removed. However, she likely would be a candidate for a continent ileostomy, if she could find a surgeon in the area that still does them.

Even though the ileoanal pouch surgery has been around in some form or another for about 30 years, it has only been common practice for about 20 years, and that was in the major medical centers primarily. I think it has been generally mainstream for a little over 10 years now.

Jan