good question. Remzi did my redo a year and a half ago, and I have no idea who to see if I have issues. They have lost a lot of good surgeons there in the past year. I am sure there are still some good ones there though. A lot of new colorectal surgeons there that I know nothing about. 

I do not think you have to worry about not having a good doctor at the clinic.  I would be comfortable with any of them because they are the best at what they do and other doctors come there to be trained.  My doctor is Dr Church and I so not think he is going to be there but just a few more years and I will be happy with ever he refers me to but that will be a sad day because he saved my life.

I had Fazio do my pouch in 1999, then Remzi did the follow up care. I've wondered the same thing. Guys like Fazio and Remzi were really the pioneers that established the CC's reputation. Its a younger crew there now.

Dr Dietz is also a kpouch physician, trained and skilled at Clinic, left around the time of Dr. Remzi & now at University Hospitals, less than a mile down the street. He is younger, skilled and definitely integrating Kpouches at UH. I'll stay with him!

Dr. Kessler did my surgery. He is the head of minimally invasive surgery there. He is very imppressive...A wonderful person, and surgeon!

When Remzi left he suggested if I have any issues to go see Dietz at UH, his nurse Vicki Rumpler is now working with Dietz too at UH. Problem is, my insurance will not cover UH main campus hospital. So not sure who I will see if things go bad. I still see Shen as my GI at Cleveland Clinic though....I live in a suburb of Cleveland

I have taken note of all of the doctors mentioned in the post, and have started doing some research.  The fact that a lot of the Doctors have trained with Dr. Remzi and Dr. Fazio, etc... gives me a bit of a "chin lift" (thanks for reminding me.)   

Dr Church was actually very close to Dr Fazio, he brought Dr Church to the clinic many years ago. :-)

Also Dr Tracy Hull has been there a long time during the Fazio years.  Anyone you go to who takes care of j pouches in my opinion is going to be good.  I think we all feel close to the doctor who did are procedure and change is never easy but I am sure that any of them would be just fine.

rubberstamped2003 posted:

Hi Everyone ,

I have had my J-pouch since 2003, with Dr. Remzi as my surgeon.  I have had the typical ups and downs with my pouch over the years, and have always  travelled to Cleveland Clinic for my checkups and treatments.  I have a uterus that is full of multiple fibroids, one that is the size of a large cantaloupe.  After many years of being advised to "watch and wait," I am really ready for an Hysterectomy.  In the past, I have,always felt some comfort, in knowing that If I had a Hysterectomy, and there is a lot of scar tissue, or, if the fibroids had grown, and somehow attached themselves to my J-Pouch, Dr. Remzi would be the one to "handle" any problems that arose.  Now that Dr. Remzi has established himself in NYC, I am worried about CCF being deficient in having  Doctors with the expertise of Dr. Remzi.   This is a long way to ask, which Doctor has the most experience with J-pouch surgery at CCF now that the most expert has left?  Thank you for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi I live in nyc and met with both doctor Ravi Kiran and Remzi.  I'm having trouble deciding which one to go with for my reversal.  Any advice?

Reversal is a cup of coffee for them. It takes them like 15 minutes. I wouldn't think but I'm partial to Remzi 

Thanks very much for your reply.  In addition to an ostomy I have liver problems.  I think I was leaning towards kiran because he's in Presbyterian.  Remix thinks I need two operations in order to the reversal in case of a leak since I have liver issues.  I just wanted to get this done asap and enjoy the summer. I caught diff that's why I have the bag.  Are you partial to Remzi because he's a better surgeon?  I'm so confused.  I have liver problems that are serious but I'm in my forties and don't want to be depressed about this anymore.  I did have a total colostomy  it I have my rectum.  I'm not going to need a j pouch but my liver problems make it risky.  I don't want to sound shallow but I hate my scar.  They had to do an emergency surgery.  They want to do open surgery again.  This site have helped me to understand a lot more about the operation.  But I'm still scared about the outcome.  I have read horror stories.

I have first consultation with Dr. Hull at CC next month for Step 2. It'll be a 7 1/2 drive for me. Any advice for an out-of-towner?

Hi RACH123,

How Blessed you are to have access to such wonderful doctors in this specialty.  I am not familiar with Dr. Kiran at all.  Dr. Remzi, however, is stellar when it comes to his knowledge and expertise with J-pouch procedures and the like.  He is very well published and teaches other surgeons around the world.  He is serious and very confident in his ability to help you successfully through your procedure (without ego), along with any problem areas.  He will lay out the positives, as well as, the negatives.  He has the ability to instill calmness, and has a good sense of humor.  Honestly, the first time I met him (after my emergency medical flight), I did not realize he was a surgeon until after he left the room.  Hope this helps a bit.  If these two doctors work closely together, as I assume they do, you are in good hands either way.  Good Luck!

P.S. to RACH123 - Have you met with both doctors?

Hi thank you so much for your response.  This is so scary to me.  You are right he seems knowledgeable.  I did research on him.  He was honest a little too honest lol.  I'm dreading the fact that he has to open me up again.  I may have a more pronounced scar , probably the least of my problems.  And that I mY need two surgeries.  Did he do your surgery? They used to work together in Cleveland now they are in different hospitals.  I have liver disease and the hospital that Kiran is in May be a little better.  I may go with Remzi have to make my decision because I'm not working and I'm hibernating.  I give guys on this site so much credit.  When I feel sorry for myself I read some positive posts here.

rubberstamped2003 posted:

P.S. to RACH123 - Have you met with both doctors?

Yes I have met with both doctors.  I met with Ravi Kieran first at Columbia pres.  Then Remzi at Nyu.  I have liver problems like I mentioned so I'm trying to decide between hospitals as well I usually go to mount Sinai.  But the doctors that were good at mount Sinai didn't take my insurance.  Kieran and I had a good meeting but I figured remix got good reviews so ill see him.  It takes longer to get a date with him.  And the fact that he he may want to do two operations so I can heal turned me off.  However pokola Kiran did say that may be a possibility.  I guess thinking about it now I'm glad Remzi was honest.  He does know his stuff he's good at j pouches.  The thing is I don't need a j pouch.  I just need it connected to my rectum.  It sounds simpler but I think because of my liver they are a little worried.  But they did say I'm fairly young and my liver is stable for now.  Sorry for this long story

  Sometimes I feel alone and reading some stories help.  I just want to cmake the right decision and move on

 I almost died twice last year was in the hospital pretty much all last year couldn't walk

 And now I'm almost normal want to resolve this and start to h a 've more fun again date etc.

The CC has great doctors, it does not matter if a few have left or not.  I think the issue people are having is they just are not their doctor.  Everyone thinks their doctor is the best and has the most experience but the reality is they are all very well trained, you will be fine no matter who you pick.

Sorry JFill21 I am not familiar with Dr. Hull.  Hopefully, you will find someone on this site who can help.

RACH123, Yes, I know the feeling of "let's get this done, and move on" but, if the Docs are thinking about two surgeries, it is beneficial for your body to rest and adjust before moving along to the next surgery.  You will have to find a way to let go, relax, and trust the Doc at the helm (easier said, than done.)  There are not too many situations the Docs have not encountered in there many years of practice. It is possible that a Hepatologist will be consulted if need be prior, or even, during surgery.