It's a pass or fail test - they are basically checking to make sure the pouch is fully healed and there are no leaks. Mine was done at the 2.5 month mark and I passed and was cleared for takedown. Takedown was 3 months after the first surgery.

Yes, I get that...But how is it preformed? Contrast in enema? How long does it take? CT or MRI tube?

Thanks,
b.

This explains the procedure somewhat. I honestly don't remember mine at all:

http://individual.utoronto.ca/...pouch/pouchogram.htm

They all have different ways of doing this test but with mine they went in thru my stoma. So yay...no butt involvement needed! It was really easy, quick and painless. They put a tube in thru my stoma fished it down...filled up the pouch with a saline solution...took a bunch of pictures checking for leaks and it was done. Then I went and sat on the toilet and let out all of the solution. It was no big deal at all. But some doctors go up the butt to check so it all depends.

Thank you both!

i had an mri pouchogram. i think its a fairly new procedure and its very good at picking up tiny leaks which could have been missed before.

basically its just a normal mri but they also stick a small tube into the anus and pump saline solution/contrast into the pouch.

a little bit of discomfort when the pouch fills but its bearable. most of the liquid went straight up the bowel and out of my stoma into the bag

Hi,

One more question. I was just told that I need to be on clears the day before the procedure. Does this jibe with your experiences? The pouch isn't in use, so this doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Some stool bypasses the stoma, so clear liquid diet helps assure a clear pouch.

Jan

i could eat normally right up until the pouchogram.

maybe the radiologist's secretary didn't think about the ileostomy/pouch and just sent you the standard procedure form..

I had mine done last week. Solution up the rectum and X-Ray. A bit uncomfortable, but no big deal. No fasting/fluid requirement although I hadn't eaten anything before. Pretty sure it's a pass/fail, ie. you have leaks or you don't. Whole thing took about half hour from getting into the change room to walking out. The only requirement is that you hold in the fluid, but, again, that wasn't an issue.

Mine was a barium enema, lasted less than ten minutes, not very uncomfortable. You'll do fine!
Katie

Thanks y'all.

My surgeon's office confirmed that the radiologist wants clears the day before.

Part of me is convinced I'm going to walk in and be handed contrast media to drink, but what the hell, it's been a strange year. I'll drink chicken broth tomorrow & hope for tge best on Friday.