I know there have been some discussions on this topic, but I would love to read some recent accounts if anyone has any experience with this.
A little background: I have Crohn's, and only had it in my large intestine so my surgeon was eager to try the jpouch on me. I was eager too, as I was about to begin grad school and was not too keen of the ileostomy at the time (2012). I had the first surgery and had the ileostomy for 6 months. Life was great. I had zero issues and did not mind the ileostomy at all. I had the takedown during winter break, and by January 13' I had developed Crohn's in the pouch. In March of 2013 we did a diverting ileostomy. However, this helped the pouch clear up but the ileum above the ileostomy became inflamed. All medicines and experimental treatments failed and I had a bowel resection in June, another one in September, December, January 14' and in March of this year. In March my surgeon said let's reattach the pouch to see if that helps to calm things down around the ileostomy. While it has and while I am still experimenting with TPN and other drugs, my pouch is now just as inflamed as before. So in October I will have the pouch removed, my bottom sewed up and the ileostomy made permanent. Any advice on this surgery (i.e recovery, hospital stay, success, etc.) would be helpful! I am trying to get into Medical School and I know my life will be much more conducive with the ileostomy in regards to bathroom trips, urgency, diet, etc.
Thank you!
A little background: I have Crohn's, and only had it in my large intestine so my surgeon was eager to try the jpouch on me. I was eager too, as I was about to begin grad school and was not too keen of the ileostomy at the time (2012). I had the first surgery and had the ileostomy for 6 months. Life was great. I had zero issues and did not mind the ileostomy at all. I had the takedown during winter break, and by January 13' I had developed Crohn's in the pouch. In March of 2013 we did a diverting ileostomy. However, this helped the pouch clear up but the ileum above the ileostomy became inflamed. All medicines and experimental treatments failed and I had a bowel resection in June, another one in September, December, January 14' and in March of this year. In March my surgeon said let's reattach the pouch to see if that helps to calm things down around the ileostomy. While it has and while I am still experimenting with TPN and other drugs, my pouch is now just as inflamed as before. So in October I will have the pouch removed, my bottom sewed up and the ileostomy made permanent. Any advice on this surgery (i.e recovery, hospital stay, success, etc.) would be helpful! I am trying to get into Medical School and I know my life will be much more conducive with the ileostomy in regards to bathroom trips, urgency, diet, etc.
Thank you!