What does your doctor recommend? That is the most important thing. Do you plan to follow up with your surgeon indefinitely or does he pass off his patients to the GI after 6-12 months? My surgeon did one brief scope (no biopsies) after about 6 months, then I followed up with my GI after that to monitor the rectal cuff and pouch and for pouch maintenance. The only thing I returned to my surgeon for was an incisional hernia repair.

 

Jan

I think the Surgeon usually passes his patients on to the GI after about a year but he can be contacted as and when needed after.

 

I thought that he would do a pouchoscopy and then pass me over to the GI, but he has asked the GI to do the scope so I am not sure if I will see him again or not.

 

in my last check up (3 months post takedown)  I mentioned him that my insurance company was being a bit 'difficult' regarding the appointments and potential future scope, so he just said well its been a year now since the original surgery we can just do the scope now..

 

 

My GI retired during my process.
My surgeon asked me to just see her from now on.
She can do anything the GI can do and I trust her more than a new GI.  She knows what's up in there... She is the one who did it. The Pouch.   A new GI would be in the dark. 
I was going to leave the surgeon and get a new GI but she said it wasn't needed.  So... If I have any problems I go to her and she has the answer.   She can do all the procedures a GI can do.
Note... I had a great GI.  Honest... Upfront and no BS.  I liked him.  I'm getting to old to tell my story over again.  Don't want to do that.

That's good of your surgeon, many aren't as interested in being as involved once you're healed and on your way, unless you end up with a new surgical issue. Mine was somewhere in between.

My surgeon said I could just come back to him for Pouchoscopy.

I have l always gone back to my surgeon for my pouch check ups ... with that being said, how often do you all go for check ups and how important are they if there are no pouch problems?  I am 10 years post op and see my surgeon every couple of years and I am due for a visit, but I keep putting it off.

I see my surgeon for follow up.  If I'm having no problems I have him do a scope every three years.  Otherwise, as needed.  I have much confidence in my surgeon's ability to trouble shoot.  My GI is great for handling digestive issues which may or may not involve my J-pouch......usually not!  I'm sure my surgeon could also handle those things but I'd rather save him for pouch related issues.  I feel fortunate to have both of these physicians on my "team".