I have been dealing with complications since my take down in March. Fistula, pouchitis, cuffitis. I'm not diagnosed officially as crohn's but will be starting Cimzia. I struggle with my doctors in terms of solutions and long term plan. I'd like to speak with doctors extremely knowledgable in complicated cases. It seems mayo or Cleveland clinic are the way to go. I have heard of Dr Shen. Are there any other recommendations of a specific doctor or which clinic is best? Thank you
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probably cannot go wrong with either one but d. shen has the largest practice of j pouch patients of anyone in country..i do not think you will come up with a more knowledgeable g.i and team at cleveland..
My GI at Mayo in Rochester is Edward Loftus Jr. I highly recommend him. My local GI sent me to him after he couldn't help me anymore with chronic cuffitis. Dr. Loftus Jr. is the director of the IBD clinic. There is another Dr. Loftus there and they aren't related - that's why I emphasized the Jr. 
I've been under his care since 2012 and we cancelled a consulting appointment I had with a surgeon there. That is how much things improved.
There may be an advantage of having so many j-pouch patients but on the other hand it might not give you the time with Dr. Shen you'd like. I never feel rushed as Dr. Loftus, Jr. digs deep with great questions. I have no idea as to how many patients he specifically has with j-pouches. He specializes in IBD and knows what he's doing.
There are other good GI's at Mayo and CC. I don't think you can go wrong with them at either place and both have other locations in the U.S. with specialized IBD doctors too.
I've been under his care since 2012 and we cancelled a consulting appointment I had with a surgeon there. That is how much things improved.
There may be an advantage of having so many j-pouch patients but on the other hand it might not give you the time with Dr. Shen you'd like. I never feel rushed as Dr. Loftus, Jr. digs deep with great questions. I have no idea as to how many patients he specifically has with j-pouches. He specializes in IBD and knows what he's doing.
There are other good GI's at Mayo and CC. I don't think you can go wrong with them at either place and both have other locations in the U.S. with specialized IBD doctors too.
I had an amazing experience at Mayo (Rochester) when I was sent there for a second opinion. I saw Dr. Susie Kane (GI). I didn't like the recommendations (but don't we all hate what our disease makes us do), but that whole medical system will impress you at Mayo!
I can't speak for CC, but read the same things you do about their expertise. Can't go wrong there either.
Laura
I can't speak for CC, but read the same things you do about their expertise. Can't go wrong there either.
Laura
fyi..dr.shen has given me so much time when i go..never rushed..i fly in from cal. and he knows when people travel far how important it is ..he has never been anything short of wonderful when we go see him..
I agree with Rebe, Dr Shen has been fantastic, he even responds to emails. Very caring.
You don't need a referral for either place. Just call.
Yeah, just call and speak to Shen's secretary, Theresa. He's amazing, really cares and spends a ton of time talking about your disease with you. His email responses are short but he does respond and always encourages his patients to keep him in the loop.
The University of Chicago Medicine has a wonderful Doctor. Neil Hyman. I highly recommend him, he is an angel and a life saver
Thanks all for the replies!
Hey canlafre
I met with dr. Hyman when I was in Chicago. He was very nice but I worried about his experience level with pouch advancement surgery which he recommended. Just curious if you had surgery with him what type & how is the outcome? Thanks!
I met with dr. Hyman when I was in Chicago. He was very nice but I worried about his experience level with pouch advancement surgery which he recommended. Just curious if you had surgery with him what type & how is the outcome? Thanks!
Hi.
I had j pouch surgery with him in October of 2008. I had no complaints or complications. I went straight to a j pouch in one surgery.
My GI doc recommended him. He said he was the best and he would send his family to him.
I'm not sure what advance jpouch surgery is. But I trust him with my life. I cried when I found he was leaving. I would not hesitate to have him as my doctor.
Not sure if I helped.
I had j pouch surgery with him in October of 2008. I had no complaints or complications. I went straight to a j pouch in one surgery.
My GI doc recommended him. He said he was the best and he would send his family to him.
I'm not sure what advance jpouch surgery is. But I trust him with my life. I cried when I found he was leaving. I would not hesitate to have him as my doctor.
Not sure if I helped.