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K
Hello all. I am 22 years old and have had UC for 9 years now. The time has come for the 3 step J Pouch surgery but I'm concerned about fertility after surgery. My surgeon told me if I was concerned I could do the first step of the surgery, stop, try to have children and then continue with steps 2 & 3 after I have a child (children). What do you all think? For those of you that have had the full j pouch surgery do you wish you would have kept an ostomy bag for a while so conceiving would be easier? Or do you feel like the surgeries were worth it? I've been married for two years going on three and my fear is that I'll do all three surgeries and greatly effect my chances of having biological children. Do you think it's smarter to go ahead with the first surgery, stop, try to have one or two children and then continue on the next surgeries? Thank you in advance for all of your advice!

Kelly

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M MrsC85Member
I've had my j-pouch for 12 years now, me and my husband only started trying for children last year and luckily fell pregnant in our 3rd month of trying so didn't take us long at all. When I had the surgery I was only 17 so wasn't thinking about kids at that time so didn't face your dilemma but I can understand how difficult it must be knowing it could cause potential fertility problems. I'm sure I heard something before about them being able to wrap your tubes during surgery to protect them from potential scar tissue.
Sorry if I'm not much help but I'm one example of a j-pouch and no fertility problems.
M
LHettiLHettiMember
I had my j-pouch surgeries when I was 19. I didn't get married until I was 24, but we were able to conceive both of kids without any help a few years after that. My oldest was born on the 9 year anniversary of my colectomy.

However, I know fertility issues are common. In fact, I was told my fertility should be very low because of all my abdominal surgeries. However, by much prayer and all God's grace, my two little blessings are here! It took many months of trying for both of them, but no trips to a fertility clinic.

Laura
LHetti
R REMMember
I had my surgery in Dec 2011 and takedown in April 2012 and my husband are actually going to start trying now. However, my doctors felt very confident that with having done a laparoscopic method, I only have one incision that is about an inch (were they removed the entire colon and then the ileostomy went there) and 3 puncture spots that you cant see at all anymore. When they did my takedown they were very pleased they did the surgery this way because it creates less scar tissue and allows your ovaries and tubes to do what they are supposed to do. Good luck with everything!!
R
J JillMMember
I had the opposite experience. 18 months of trying with no luck. We ended up with IVF and have two beautiful kids but it was a lot more involved for us.

Are you close to wanting to have a baby? If it is in the next 1-3 years, then I'd probably recommend keeping the ostomy till you are done with kids. But if it is in the far off future, then you might want to go ahead now.

Just be prepared that some of us DO have issues getting pregnant and think about what you might do if that happens? Are you comfortable with IVF? Would you want to adopt? How hard would it be for you if you couldn't conceive? They are hard questions, but necessary to make the decision...
J
L luvmyupsmanMember
I thought I would chime in here. I am 33 years old. I had the three step surgeries five years ago between August and December of 2009. At that time I had two children - ages 1.5 and 3 (I had no issues conceiving them). No one told me at the time that stopping after the first surgery to have more children was an option. I wish I would have known and I would have done that. It seems that I am now unable to conceive. We haven't used any sort of protection for four years. I did see a fertility doctor about 2 years ago. My husband checked out fine, my eggs checked out fine, and I passed the dye test they do to see if the fallopian tubes are clear. I didn't pursue anything further because we've ddecided to count our blessings and move on in life. Let me know if you have more questions. -Leah
L
P PoucherInTOMember
I had my surgery when I was 15 years old - I'm 34 now. I found out last year when I started seeing a fertility specialist that I cannot have children.

The pelvic dissection scarred my fallopian tubes (some women get use IVF to get around this) however early age and long term steroid use (amongst other meds that no one really had long term data on in the mid 90s) made my ovaries go into "protection" mode and when it was time to start considering stimulation for egg retrieval, I found out there was no chance of being able to stim and retrieve any eggs.

If you are concerned with fertility at all, definitely speak with a specialist in advance as infertility is a real issue for many of us.

Best of luck
P

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