Krakt….. I have only had my pouch for 15 months now and though it was a rough road for a few months I am living a normal life. I also am 44 years old. I work for an energy company and do not work in an office.  I didn’t think I would be able to do my job with the increase in bathroom trips but have managed to make it work for a year now. I struggled with “the bag” and getting the jpouch was the best decision for me. As for pouch longevity I’m sure some other members will chime in with their experiences. My surgeon said my pouch will last the rest of my life…. Witch ever path you choose may your journey be smooth and full of good health…

I did mine when I was 59.

But I was warned. Where my ulcers were chances of a pouch working were not good. I did the pouch and it didn't work.  I'm ok with the end ileo.

But being 59 I even tried the pouch first.

No question that I would in my 40's.

My ulcers were close to the end of my colon.

I'd ask questions about where your ulcers are.

Higher up the better .  I personally think it needs to be disease free where the pouch get hooked up at the end.

As you can tell. I'm not a Dr so I don't know the terms.

But I'm sure you may understand what I mean.

Good luck!

Richard.

Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate the responses. I'm not enjoying life with a bag. Everywhere I go, a bag of poop gets there before I do. I'm just terrified that I'll wind up in diapers for the rest of my life and I'm not sure which is worse.

You will not end up in diapers with more than 90 percent likelihood. Most likely, you will have a much better quality of life with a pouch than a bag.

@krakt posted:

Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate the responses. I'm not enjoying life with a bag. Everywhere I go, a bag of poop gets there before I do. I'm just terrified that I'll wind up in diapers for the rest of my life and I'm not sure which is worse.

Diapers.

I had my first surgery at 60 and my last just before my 61st birthday.  I have had good luck with my pouch.  It has been over 5 years and I don’t have any significant issues.  I do use Lomotil anywhere from 2 to 3 times a day and Benefiber.  No diapers, though occasionally I have a little leakage at night.

I was 50 when I had both steps of my 2 step process and I am 71 now. While it probably took me a bit longer than normal to heal since I was so sick to begin with and then my age, all has gone pretty well for me.

Don't be afraid at 44....Just my .02...YMMV...grr

I was 30 and had been very sick in the hospital for weeks at a time. No medication helped  and I knew I had to do something. I had time to get relatively healthy before surgery which helped recovering, which I struggled with. I didn't like the bag and the adhesive didn't like me. Having a jpouch is definitely worth a try there are possible issues with everything, at least this way you can try and always go back.