I didn't know my pouch is sutured through iron staples, but are they really never going away from my inner body? I presumed that before or after the body would have expelled them. And how are they sure the iron is not causing chronic pouchitis in people who develop the condition?
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Who told you they're iron? Although there are or at least were staples made out of Iron, it's my understanding that the vast majority are made out of either a titanium alloy or surgical stainless steel these days.
Yes, you'll have some permanent 'stuff' left over inside of you, regardless of material. It is all biologically inert and won't affect you long term...unless of course you know for sure they used iron staples in which case you should do some more research.
Yes, you'll have some permanent 'stuff' left over inside of you, regardless of material. It is all biologically inert and won't affect you long term...unless of course you know for sure they used iron staples in which case you should do some more research.
i just checked it, it's steel, not iron... Thks
but, regardless of the material, are they always permanent, or do they often be expelled after months / years?
nope, they're all yours permanently along with probably some suture material. Some sutures will dissolve and any external suturing/stapling you have will dissolve or be removed, but some of the internal stuff is permanent. Every CT scan I get comments on it. There are occasions where people can develop abscess or other issues related to the internal staples but they are very rare and usually related to improper surgical technique.
Think of it as being in the same category as an artificial knee or hip. The materials are selected because your body/immune system doesn't react to them.
Think of it as being in the same category as an artificial knee or hip. The materials are selected because your body/immune system doesn't react to them.
I have some from gallbladder surgery that I had decades ago. Still there. They don't cause any problems for me. They do look pretty amazing on x-rays or scans - they really show up.
kathy
kathy
In addition to internal steel or titanium staples, there are likely also vascular clips all over the place. Also, intestinal staples are often shed over time, so don't freak if you see them in your stool. You won't come apart. They are only shed after they are not being used any more.
Jan
Jan
I think I have a staple coming through my rectum. Feels like it is poking through the tissues. Any one had this before? If so did it go away or you go to a doc?
My pouch is playing up after 29 years, I am one of the first. I have been told it is because of the staples stainless steel, I know of one other person in the USA 30 year old pouch same problem, I am in Australia. The 2 surgeons were from the Mayo Clinic that done me, pioneer stuff great job.
People above are saying they fine ! THEY DON'T BREAK DOWN ??? they can reject them.
I have had my pouch for 33 years. First group in UCSF. Dr. Schlock. Taught many how to do it. I have stainless steel staples. One in my rectum is in and out. Going to dr.
Staples, mesh, Martex ring to affix the pouch to my body, clips...permanent sutures...the 1000000$ woman.. .practically biopic.. .
The hardware isn't the problem, it's the Meds and x-rays that worry me more...
Sharon
Hello Friends!
Im having sone questions about the metal staples and wondering if anyone else has had them removed? If yes how did you feel? I’m hearing that there are problems with them long term -idk anyone have any information?
Kate
I've had them all over the place, my stoma, hernias...no problems that I know of except when they work their way out...
Very interesting thread.
I lost a few staples after stage 1 - very tiny. Could barely see them.
I also had plates and screws left in my leg after orthopedic trauma surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Three years later I had the metal taken out. My body never adjusted to it - constant swelling and pain at the site. I was told that around 5% or so of patients who had my type or surgery have to have the metal removed. The leg hardware was quite a bit more metal than the staples, and it was screwed into bone, not soft tissue. But makes me think that whether staples and pouch inflammation are related is not a bad question.
So my doctor yesterday said that they should be removed and that they can cause reactions and pouchitis
This is a leading jpouch doctor -he’s convinced that some people react to the metal and that this can cause or exacerbate pouchitis! He’s had several patients get knee replacements and then develop chronic pouchitis.
Uh paranoia with ovin disease. A replacement hip awaits me in the future. I have had this for 6 years and still know very little.
As far as I know, some people still have them and some people do not still have them. I think the only way to really know is to have radiology work done. As far as I have heard, they are safe. A doctor did say not to have anal sex: one of the reasons is because the staples might hurt the penis if they put the penis in the anus and the penis could also ruin your J-pouch. That is what i heard when someone posted their story on here. As long as you do not receive anal sex it is safe.
Thanks Lauren
i guess my pouch doctors concern is an allergic autoimmune type response to the metal
@katenet posted:Thanks Lauren
i guess my pouch doctors concern is an allergic autoimmune type response to the metal
Yeah that makes sense! Let me know how it goes! I am wondering that too now. I am not sure if I have my staples personally.