BCIR Clinic in Florida

Welcome to our forum.  I had a j pouch for 30 years and experienced problems with frequency, leakage and anal irritation, but adapted the best I could to keep the pouch.  The pouch had to be removed as a result of high grade dysplasia for which surgery to remove just that area was not an option.  I was very much against having an ileostomy based on quality of life issues.  Fortunately, I made contact with Dr. Ernest Rhenke in Florida and had the BCIR just over 2 years ago.  There were issues of scarring and adhesions from my prior 3 surgeries, but the surgery went well and I had a full recovery.  Dr. Rhenke is an outstanding surgeon and the care I received from the hospital staff was top notch. Like any surgery of this kind, there are risks of complications, but a very high percentage have good results.

That said, I would suggest that you get another surgical opinion from a doctor familiar with j pouches and dealing with their problems.  I seriously question your surgeon’s ability and knowledge about j pouches and continent ileostomies (k pouch and BCIR) and personally feel offended by the statement “they all don't work they all windup failing”.  One consideration would be to consult with Cleveland Clinic that is highly respected for dealing with j pouch problems.  You should also read posts on this forum for suggestions on improving pouch performance and satisfaction.  Perhaps something in these posts will work for you.  Please PM me if you have any questions about the BCIR, and best of luck!

Bill

Any colorectal surgeon who says "they all wind up failing" is one that sounds like trouble. If you can, it might be helpful to see a different doctor - perhaps a gastroenterologist, or perhaps a different surgeon.

Thank you for your reply's. My insurance gave me a referrel to see him and he is the one that did the surgery. He is a well respected Surgeon in this area. He has a temper which I have witnessed in the operating room when it was not ready exactly at the time he thought it should be I was a bit taken back at his childish display at the nurses I was laying there on the table fixing to have my J-pouch made.It was a last minute thing my colon had suddenly become perforated in one spot and they had to take it soon, At the first meeting with him I expressed my concern with the possibility of maybe winding up with a permenent ilostomony he very loud and rudely said Well just don't have the operation I don't know what he thought but I was not intimidated I immediately asked him if would like to rephrase that . So I don't know. And I don't know if I can get approval to see anyone else?

Firstly, I am so sorry that you are having so many pouch problems...

Next, any surgeon who intimidates you and strikes fear in the hearts of the nurses is not my kind of surgeon...I like the kind that communicates with people, is open minded and does not trash other people's surgeries...I might be strange that way but...

Next, both BCIR and k pouches are viable alternatives to non functional j pouches or for people who do not have the option of having a j pouch for various reasons (no anal sphincter, fistulas etc)

Most of the people with k pouches that I know have had some problems in the begining or later on...some minor and some not but all of my k pouch connections love their k pouches/Bcirs and don't regret having had them...

You need to get lots of opinions (ours and professional ones), talk to people with continent pouches and find out your best options in both localities and surgical competence.

You need a very experienced surgeon to do this surgery...it is not for inexperienced surgeons...this is a very complicated procedure...

Good luck with it and I hope that you get relief

Sharon