I'm glad I found you guys! I had UC and my colectomy was in Sept/06 while I was an EMT student. I had to take an extended break for surgery and have recently passed all my exams and am now certified. I still have my bag and desperately want to get rid of it. Is it at all possible for me to do this job with a pouch or am I setting myself up for disappointment? I'm trying to decide what I'm doing before I find a job on an ambulance and commit to a contract.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I do realize I won't be working for a while post-op but I would rather stop before I start than to work, then quit and later try to pick up where I left off.

Dont let the bag become a burden.
I am an officer in new york city and I was even more hesitant to return to the job.
but I was not going to let the bag stop me from my career. it was a little uncomfortable with my gunbelt but I found a belly band where I would wear this band from (ostomy solutions) and it would hold the bag firmly to my side and was enclosed by a velcro flap so it was un-noticable. its called better life ostomy belt the web site is www.ostomysolutions.com try it and take back your life.
good luck

You should be fine with the pouch ... Just need to understand what foods work for you and what may cause u some issues (bathroom and so on)... Good luck

As for the bag hindering ... I have a end illeo (after failed pouch) and I am a Pa State Trooper ( 16 yrs and counting)... I wear my gun belt and do my job no issues. I also play full check ice hockey, work, swim and hot tub it every night. The bag has never nor will ever hinder my life

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JasonPa,

The bag should not hinder you! When I had my bag, I wore a garment... don't even know what it's called... like a slimmer to wear under your clothes resembling biker shorts or something like that. You can find it in the women's underwear/hosery dept... what women wear under dresses, etc, to suck stuff in a little. I was nervous at first to wear it because I thought it would put too much pressure on the stoma but it stretches and it worked wonders...especially unders skirts to hold the bag in place.

I also would recommend this site: www.uoaa.org (United Ostomy Association of America). The discussion board is great and covers all the things you have questions about. I found that site when I had the bag and it answered every question you can think of!!! Good luck!

Wait, I just realized you were asking about doing your job with a pouch! I have had my jpouch for four months now and I'm fortunate that I have not had any problems. I went back to work after four weeks... but felt like I could return at three. I had UC for about 18 years and managed to never be hospitalized or lose any work over it. I could never have been a school teacher, though... I had to up and head to the bathroom several times a day so fortunately I have a job where I could do that. I worked my life around the bathroom and was able to work it out. But the pouch is so much better for me!!! I only go about 4-6 times a day and I sleep through the night without getting up now. The urgency to use the bathroom NOW is gone with the pouch.

I read this site before my surgery and actually thought about not getting the pouch because often you hear the bad stories rather than the success stories. That's because those having trouble are looking for help on the site. But there are plenty of success stories as well and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get the pouch and that it's working great so far!

With the EMT job, I understand your concern. Watching what you eat before and during your shift will help. Also there is immodium and other prescription drugs which help slow things down as well. Best of luck to you!

Lee Ann,

I know how you feel about the ostomy. I didn't do very well with it, either. For me, the takedown and connection of the J pouch was heaven compared to the ostomy. Even though it was a tough adjustment to the J pouch, it was well worth it for me. And, I don't find that it slows me down at all. You'll probably need to "go" about as many times as you want to empty your bag so I don't think that'll be an issue or slow you down.

The worst case scenario is that if you don't like it, you can always revert back to the ostomy!!!! I'd recommend giving it a try.

Rick

Very difficult to know ahead. No crystal ball. Some go 4-6 / day others 20.
It takes a good year to adjust. I would not put my job or life on hold. If you are unable to do the job due to bathroom needs then you deal with it at the time.Everyone is different. I have had my j pouch 20 years and go 2-3 /day.
One day at a time.

Lee Ann, most people do very well with the jpouch. I was very lucky, I had complete control from the beginning and no urgency. You'll need some patience in the beginning while the pouch adjusts. It is hard to know how your pouch is going to behave. I agree with Rick, I would definitely give it a try.

Good Luck,

janna

Thanks for all the feedback and tips! I ordered a belt and I think it will help! Unfortunately, I am working out of town and will have to wait a month to get it.
I was able to talk to my surgeon yesterday and I want to get the surgery, probably int eh summer. I want to get some eggs harvested first, which is going to slow the process. Has anybody done this or know anyone who has? I'm not sure I want kids but I don't want to eliminate any options.
I was also wondering what differences I can expect between an end-ileostomy and a loop after the jpouch is made, or are they the same?
Thanks again!

First of all, I see no reason to harvest eggs before your j-pouch. I have heard of men having sperm stored in advance due to potential retrograde ejaculation or impotence. But, egg harvesting is not a real issue post pouch surgery. You may indeed become infertile due to adhesions blocking your tubes, but this generally just means IVF. There are many women here who have conceived via IVF after surgery. I am not sure they can even store unfertilized eggs yet. Check out the women's health and pregnancy forum.

The loop ileostomy is much more problematic than the end ileostomy. It leaks more because it is more difficult to get a good seal. You are more likely to have high output dehydration due to a shorter length of small bowel before the ostomy.

Jan