Hi Maryanne,

i had two j-pouch surgeries/revisions.

the first was done in 2012 by a good surgeon but not a GI specialist that does nothing but colorectal surgeries. Went very well.... However, that surgeon left me with 8cm of colon before the 'exit'. So early 2014 during a pouchoscopy they found new polyps and dysplasia in those 8cm. As I had gotten the initial pouch for a full colectomy after stage 2 colon cancer, all alarm bells went off. The recommendation from that surgeon -that I owe my life and the removal of all my cancer- told me flat out that he can't remove this last piece without a permanent ileostomy. So plan b had to be found. Plan b ended up to be the Cleveland clinic down here in Weston, Florida. Dr. Nogueras took me in and removed the old pouch and built a new one. It was not an easy surgery. Took seven and a half hours in total and was a close call for it to work. I went through hell for the recovery (13 day ileus) and had the same problem after the takedown.p (12 day ileus and TPN). Now I am 10 months out and still have scar tissue strictures and a hernia to deal with. But I would do it again to avoid the permanent stoma. I am 42 years old and couldn't fathom the next 30+ years with the bag.

hoping this pouch lasts for a long time.

good,luck on your journey !

toddi