I've had an ileostomy for 42 years and hope to make a decision for either a K Pouch or BCIR. Meeting with Dr. Stocchi at Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday and attended a BCIR seminar a short time ago. Any thoughts, either way? Thanks.
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Although I have a BCIR, I can say that both the K pouch and the BCIR have a high success rate and high patient satisfaction. In terms of day-to-day life, there is essentially no difference between these procedures. The main difference in these procedures is in the way the valve is constructed. You may want to ask Dr. Stocchi to explain how CC constructs K pouches and how it differs from the BCIR. You may also want to talk with some of the people on the BCIR contact list given to you at the BCIR seminar (I talked with 6 before having my surgery). I am not personally familiar with the care at CC for K pouches, but I can say that Dr. Rehnke in Florida is a very skilled and compassionate surgeon and the hospital staff and care I received was top notch. I am now 17 months post-op and have a very good quality of life. I wish you the best in whatever procedure you select.
Bill
Bill
Hi Lifecircle,
I have had a k pouch for 35yrs and although it has not been without problems it is still the best decision that I have ever made.
I have no preference as to which surgery to choose...I always say that it depends on where you are geographically (closer to 1 or the other), what your insurance will cover and who makes you feel the most comfortable...they are both similar with practically identical outcomes and have similar complication rates...
Whatever works for you is fine...I am just thrilled that people are still doing them and that the option is still out there...
good luck
Sharon
I have had a k pouch for 35yrs and although it has not been without problems it is still the best decision that I have ever made.
I have no preference as to which surgery to choose...I always say that it depends on where you are geographically (closer to 1 or the other), what your insurance will cover and who makes you feel the most comfortable...they are both similar with practically identical outcomes and have similar complication rates...
Whatever works for you is fine...I am just thrilled that people are still doing them and that the option is still out there...
good luck
Sharon
BCIR has a better valve. Also looks better 
Thanks, everyone! Hey, Vanessy, what do you mean looks better? I've always thought my small intestine was one of my best features.
Hello,
feeling a bit more optimistic today. And it has been a long time. I am curious if anyone has had a K pouch revision that resulted in a design more comparable to that of the BCIR?
Sincerely,
Will
feeling a bit more optimistic today. And it has been a long time. I am curious if anyone has had a K pouch revision that resulted in a design more comparable to that of the BCIR?
Sincerely,
Will
WillLive,
I have litterally had a dozen k pouch revisions and valve revisions although they have never rebuilt the k pouch itself they have excised the original valve and totally rebuilt it by flipping the pouch over and using the affernt limb (the incoming intestine) to build a new, living colar onto my valve...a double modification of the k pouch original valve.
It is very different than the original and I can litterally feel the difference.
I may not like it as much but if it lives longer, works better and gives me good function then who cares????
I am going in to have another pouch surgery (not inside the pouch) to put it back onto the wall (it slipped off again)...other than that, my pouch is fine. (I hope)
You must choose whatever solution is the best for you vis-a-vis your geography, your insurance and your life...both operations are good, both methods work fine...it is all up to your surgeon of choice and your biology what the outcome will bring.
Some people have 1 surgery and off they go to live their lives for 30+ yrs without any blips on the radar...others have problems sooner or later...so talk to both the surgeon and the patients. Don't judge the surgery by the clinic's hotel services. I have found over the years that just because the room is pretty or comfortable does not make the surgery a success.
Good luck no matter what you choose.
Sharon
I have litterally had a dozen k pouch revisions and valve revisions although they have never rebuilt the k pouch itself they have excised the original valve and totally rebuilt it by flipping the pouch over and using the affernt limb (the incoming intestine) to build a new, living colar onto my valve...a double modification of the k pouch original valve.
It is very different than the original and I can litterally feel the difference.
I may not like it as much but if it lives longer, works better and gives me good function then who cares????
I am going in to have another pouch surgery (not inside the pouch) to put it back onto the wall (it slipped off again)...other than that, my pouch is fine. (I hope)
You must choose whatever solution is the best for you vis-a-vis your geography, your insurance and your life...both operations are good, both methods work fine...it is all up to your surgeon of choice and your biology what the outcome will bring.
Some people have 1 surgery and off they go to live their lives for 30+ yrs without any blips on the radar...others have problems sooner or later...so talk to both the surgeon and the patients. Don't judge the surgery by the clinic's hotel services. I have found over the years that just because the room is pretty or comfortable does not make the surgery a success.
Good luck no matter what you choose.
Sharon