Any medical procedure carries some risk. If you're not having any trouble emptying your pouch then it might be worth asking if it can wait, or be more gradually and gently dilated by you at home. 

I agree - it's a lot of trouble...but if you can, see if you can either get another opinion or just ask to wait.  Or just wait...keep checking in on yourself - and see how it goes.  I say this without knowing the reasons doc gives as to why this procedure is so necessary..is it an emergency?  why the urgency?  etc. etc. I agree with Scott.

My surgeon says that my anastomosis is too narrow and that dilating it could PREVENT nighttime accidents because maybe I'm not emptying 100% when I go. I don't think it's urgent or an emergency, but I did mention to him that I am due to lose my insurance next month. I am not sure how long I will be without it and he said that he absolutely thinks I should be dilated before then.  

I'm just worried there will be side effects that I am unaware of. I've tried reading up on it but have been having trouble finding information. 

Nettie, it sounds like the risks of treatment are less than the risks of leaving it alone. A careful dilation is pretty low-risk. While it's worth asking your doctor what they are, for awareness, for me it's a bit like not dwelling on getting hit by a car every time I cross the street. 

You shouldn't have to go uninsured. You can get insurance at healthcare.gov through the Affordable Care Act. You should be eligible for a special enrollment period, and you should be eligible for subsidies to keep it affordable. Pennsylvania participates in Medicaid expansion, so everyone can be insured in your state.