We received the pre-op paperwork for my daughter's surgery. I am a bit confused. The 1st surgeon we were going to use was going to do 3 steps. The 1st step was a sub-total colectomy. The 2nd step was to be the formation of the j-pouch, the 3rd step was to be the takedown.

We decided on a different surgeon. He feels my daughter is healthy and can do a 2-step. The 1st to remove the colon, create the temporary ostomy, and create the j-pouch. The 2nd is the takedown.

The paperwork that was sent says the following:
"Panproctocolectomy, j-pouch, ileostomy w/catheters. Removal of entire colon and rectum, reconstruction of a new storage organ out of small bowel with temporary opening of small intestine on the side with insertion of protective devices into bladder."

I never heard of panproctocolectomy so I googled it. It sounds like it is used for permanent ostomies.

Also what does the catheters and insertion of protective devices into bladder mean?

I am going to call the surgeon tomorrow but of course, I am slightly freaking out now. Between getting the paperwork and finally letting family know, it is becoming real.

Thanks for any input.

Gosh, the paperwork and wording can be overwhelming!
My surgery was a 2 step and it went amazingly well. I wish the same for your daughter.
The catheter is because the surgery can be 6 plus hrs long and then aftewards she won't be able to get up to use the bathroom right away.
I also had a jp drain in my left side to help with abdominal fluid.
As for panproctocolectomy, if you are concerned definitely call. Entire colon sounds right but they did keep part of my rectum so question it.
When is the surgery?
Best of luck!

Thanks Kar for answering so quickly. I think the panproctocolectomy scares me more because I never heard of that until we got the paperwork.

Her surgery is July 3.

Aside from her having surgery in the first place, it doesn't sound as if there's anything to freak out about in the surgeon's description. A total (pan) colectomy removes the entire colon and most of the rectum. Only 1-2 cm. of rectum is left, to which the j-pouch is sutured. As Kar said, a catheter is standard and facilitates urination during and immediately after surgery.

Bennie,

They've explained it as we understand it. Also, if you haven't read through the http://www.j-pouch.org/illustratedpouch/
We printed this out and read through a bunch of times before the whole procedure made sense.

Also, I had the two-step lapro, I think maybe your daughter is doing the open, but you can still look through my photo sets and see sorta how my surgery, incisions and such looked. Start with Photo set 1 which the total proctocolectomy (or panproctocolectomy), with the catheder and temp ileo.

http://ucstory.wordpress.com/surgery-1/

When is her surgery?
mark

July 3rd... I hope it becomes a real sign of independence from problems.
The beginning she will be sore adjusting to the ostomy and recovering from surgery but you will see signs of her gaining strength each day. (Probably out of the hospital within 6-8 days)
And the takedown surgery, more often than not, is a much simplier surgery and shorter hospital stay (2-4 days).