Dr. David Watts at UCSF is wonderful!

I'm from Boston and now live near SanFran. I'm half-planning to return to Boston for j-pouch surgery toward the end of this year, mainly because:
- that's where I had my colectomy (will use same surgeon for j-pouch)
- I have friends/family there to help me recover

I'd reconsider and stay in SF if I found a good surgeon. Marisa, how do you know about Dr. Watts?

Deb, are you planning on j-pouch surgery soon? (or do you already have one?)

I grew up in SF. Dr Watts was my GI, a wonderful physician! Doug, who was your surgeon and GI in Boston?

People seem to like Dr. Varma at UCSF. She does laparoscopic too. It would be best to have a surgeon and GI in the same group. Then they can share records and it is easy for consults.

Jan

Dr. Varma was my surgeon in 2003 and Dr. Watts my my GI

GI: Dr. Jonathan Terdiman at UCSF
Surgeons: Dr. Varma at UCSF, Drs. Stricker and Alkoraishi at SF Kaiser

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your responses. I just arrived in Sonoma, after making the long road trip from Missouri. Rest areas and frequent stops to fill up with gas made the trip barely manageable. Pretty stressful experience! I have had my j-pouch for a year and a half now. Definitely have some ups and downs. I have really good days and really bad days. I can't seem to figure out what causes those bad days. I can eat the same food on different days and have an adverse reaction on any given day. I have had a few bad bouts of pouchitis, but now seem to be managing quite well with two doses, twice a day of pepto, and take immodium before meals. I take levisin at night before bed. Going to UCSF is not too far out of the way. Just relieved to have a recommendation from fellow j-pouchers. Thanks again!