I have had a J-Pouch for over 30 years. Last year I had a small bowel obstruction due to scar tissue (likely from the J-Pouch surgery) and had a small portion of the small intestine removed. My question is does the portion of the small intestine used to create the J-Pouch still continue to function (absorb nutrients etc.)?
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Short answer is yes. However, this changes when you have pouchitis or Crohn’s of the pouch. Also, over time it changes on the cellular level to absorb more water and less nutrients (becomes more like colonic mucosa).
It is also important to note that the j-pouch uses only about a foot of small bowel, which is 15-20 feet in length.
Jan 
Thanks for the quick response. The reason behind the ask is that as a result of the small bowel blockage last year and subsequent resection of a small portion of the bowel, I developed two enterocutaneous fistula that are very low output and if they do not spontaneously close, will have another surgery/resection to remove that portion of the small bowel. It was suggested that I might end up with short bowel syndrome. From what I have read online, sbs is really a loosely defined term, but typically means less than 10 feet or so of small bowel, which I don't think I come close to.
Wow Dave! My surgeon will not do surgery after my recent blockage for that very reason. He says the complications are always worse that the solution. With out the small bowel also absorption of nutrients will be difficult. I would get a 2nd opinion from surgeon who specialized in J-pouches in a large Med Center. There is more information out there. My prayers are with you!
