In need of some direction

I've had great results from a 1-step about 11 years ago, though I do need to stay on Cipro. The CC Fan Club is pretty active here, so I'll leave that question to them. I do suggest finding a less arrogant GI locally, though. If he thinks you might have Crohn's it could validate his intentions, though, if not his methods.

My GI tried to talk me out of a jpouch because he didn't think it was as successful as a permanent ostomy. I did my research and chose my surgery based on my lifestyle. It's been 12 excellent years with my jpouch; it's not an easy surgery but in the long run it was the best choice for me and I have not regretted it.

Sue

I had three steps and though my takedown was only 37 days ago (someday I will stop counting in days ) I consider my outcome very successful. It's a hard process no doubt but exciting as well.

I have to say though I'm confused as to why Tysabri is the only option for you post-Remicade. If you were responsive to Remicade, Humira or Cimzia or Simponi or even Xeljanz could be good options with a relatively high likelihood of success, minus the PML risk. Why not give that a try before jumping to surgery?

Hi Liz, my GI explained to me if the humeria didn't work to others you mentioned wouldn't either. I would like to go to CC and get other opinion. I also am tired... Just tired and am not getting any younger.

Definately go to the CC, my surgeon is retired, but they are the BEST at what they do. There is nothing vain about opting for a jpouch, good luck.

CC is awesome. I wish I had surgery there. I go there now for aftercare with other issues.

I had a 2 step surgery, 22 years ago. No regrets, though sometimes I wish I'd had the option of some of the medical therapy of today.

My doctor did a run of 1 steps in the 90s, but refuses to do them anymore. He said there were just more people with issues after 1 steps, and he had one person do extremely poorly, and they died, related to post-op complications that brought on an ICU stay and developed into multisystem issues and then cardiac complications. He said it was awful, and too terrible to go through again.

Some people do just fine with one steps, though, and for as many who have issues, there's plenty who do not.

I'm glad I did 2 steps, because my J pouch creation with loop ileostomy gave me 4 months to gain back my weight (I'm 5'2", and left the hospital after my first surgery at 87lbs), and it let me get healthy again, before my takedown.

I did not have the luxury of "choice". My colon burst on my 5th flare of supposedly Chronic Proctitis. I suspect I had UC all along.

I had an osotomy for 8 months and then had the J-pouch built in 2-steps.

I had a two step procedure done laparoscopically. Best decision I ever made in regards to treating my UC. All the meds failed so I really didn't have much of a choice left anyway. The only drug I didn't try was Humira. At that point I couldn't be bothered with the crappy drugs anymore. And my GI told me if Remicade didn't help (and it didn't) that Humira wouldn't likely work either. My only regret is not having the surgery a lot sooner. The surgeries are tough (and I did have some complications) but for me it was all well worth it. I haven't needed to see my GI doc since before my surgeries. I followed up with my surgeon and now I just see him once a year for a quick scope.

If you go for it the best advice I could give you is to keep a positive attitude and have tons of patience. Some people recover faster than others so that's where the patience comes in. If you are a good candidate for a two step, I highly recommend it. One less time you have to go under the knife. Good luck with your decision.