I can't offer you much in the way of advice since my surgery is scheduled for a day before yours. I don't post much, but I have found a reading a lot of posts helpful. I am also confident I will get great advice from "experienced" people when those inevitable setbacks occur during recovery.

Read as many posts as you can (and ask questions like this when necessary), but just remember that everyone is different. Also keep in mind that the people posting to these types of forums are in many cases those people getting ready for the surgery and those people that have had a more difficult time. Most people with the highest success typically won't continue to post as they are off living their new healthier lives.

That being said, I have come across all kinds of posts by people that have had very successful surgeries, but are still kind enough to contribute support and advice.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery.

-j

I guess that would be true. I have found some good posts so far. Best of luck to you.

I remember waking up from the first of two j-pouch surgeries knowing I was cured of ulcerative colitis. While not feeling great, I knew what I was feeling was post surgical stuff and not the misery I had been feeling for years. It has only gotten better and better for me! That was 12 years ago. Best wishes for a very positive outcome!

I am in the process of getting a j-pouch. I had the first of my two surgeries that involved creating the j-pouch and a temporary loop ileostomy about 3 weeks back. Though I am still recovering from the surgery, which by the way is a very major surgery. Slowly I am gaining my strength and stamina back and the pains/aches are subsiding. But, I can tell you I am already feeling better than I have felt in years. I only had UC for 2.5 years but those 2.5 years were brutal. I never went into remission. Even if my j-pouch fails for some reason, having gotten rid of the diseased colon has made me feel a lot better.

Good luck with your surgery!!

Have you checked into Fecal Microbiota transplant. It may save the colon.

Thanks UC Warrior, very helpful post. Best of luck to you in your recovery.