Hi all,
I'm reaching out to you for a friend of mine...how long was your time between step 2 and step 3? And, do you know what the max time between those two steps might be? I've searched and searched and the most I've seen is 3-4 months. But, my friend's surgeon has told them 11 months would be ok...sound too long to you all? Do you have any links to info that I could send on? Thanks in advance!!

I was supposed to have 3 steps but my surgeon ended up creating the pouch and hooking me up in the 2nd step. If i recall from previous posts on this topic, different surgeons have various preferences on how long it should be between steps. I think it also depends on the health and other factors of the individual patient on how long that time between steps should be. Your friend's surgeon obviously has reasons for waiting 11 months and thinks that is the best route to go. I don't think it is a bad idea. This is something that should not be rushed. Your friend will be grateful if things are allowed to heal properly and no complications arise because of the extended period of time between the steps. When I was hooked up in the 2nd step, a major complication arose (a fistula by the pouch that caused it to leak) and I had to be unhooked 8 days later and had to wait over a year to be hooked back up. That was hell. Especially having a second surgery 8 days after the previous one. While I'm not a doctor, I learned that it is smarter to err on the side of caution and take time with these types of surgeries. It is definitely worth it in the end.

Because of complications that kept him hospitalized for nearly 5 months, my son, who is now 17, was in no hurry to return for his takedown. At age 9-10, he had his ostomy and inactive pouch for 17 months without it causing any problems.

Thank you both for your responses! Connie, the 17 months timeframe is reassuring

I am having the 3 steps... and my surgen wanted to wait at least 6 months between step 1 and 2.. it has now been 8 months .. cuz she wants me to loose a lil weight to make the surgery easier.

It was 3-4 months for me. Just came home from takedown, and everything seems to be fine.

My daughter had her colon removed and had an 'end' ileostomy. She was too sick at the time to create the jpouch. So she kept her 'end' ileostomy for a year to get healthy and off all meds especially pred. So after a year her surgeon told her that he could probably do the next step in one, creating the jpouch and connecting it all at once. There are no guarantees until he gets inside. My daughter was so happy to wake up and not have the 'loop' ileostomy that is usually given if the surgery takes 3 steps. If everything is 'right' it can be done in just one more step. You must have a very skilled surgeon to do it. Good luck to your friend.