Make sure you find a real specialist for this. it’s a terrible condition for pouch patients since the surgical options are limited to avoid incontinence. But address it quickly if possible to avoid complications like fistulas. If it’s just an abscess without a fistula, ask your dr about seeing an interventional radiologist instead of going directly to surgery. Good luck!

I suppose I will know more after MRI but your comment about surgery and pouch is very concerning. 

I had one years and years ago.  They lanced it, drained it, and inserted a thin, flat rubber tube to keep it open to drain. They attached the drain with a few stitches. Honestly, the pain before the lancing was terrible.   Recovery was not bad at all.  They wanted to put me in a diaper, instead I used a maxi pad.  Of course, everyone is different.  But, compared to UC and then the pouch surgeries, the abscess affected me a good deal less.  I wish you the best of luck

I have had several abscesses following my j-pouch.  Please make sure you see a colo-rectal surgeon if you are going to have it surgically managed.  I had one abscess turn into a fistula but I am completely healed now and have not had an abscess for over a year.

Thank you for the note.  I am talking to a colo-rectal surgeon.  Praying that it isn't a fistula.  Waiting on MRI results, I feel completely fine now after what I thought was a really bad hemorrhoid so this is all coming as a shock.  I am terrified of the surgery both from a recovery and concerns over incontinence.  Any perspective on these two since it sounds like you had surgery?

I agree to definitely find a specialist for this. Since you do have concerns, maybe you should possibly get a second opinion to make you feel better if you do not like your doctor's suggestion. Hope this helps!