should i ask surgeon to move takedown date up a bit?

I think 3 months is the normal protocol and you have to pass the pouchogram before they do takedown anyway. So why would you move the takedown date before you pass the pouchogram? Because if you flunk the pouchogram, your takedown date will be moved back, not up.

My takedown was done 3 months after to the day. I passed my pouchogram which was done around 2 or 3 weeks before takedown.

I had my takedown two weeks early shy of three months. Mine was because I was experiencing diversional pouchitis which I am sure is not your case and I was anxious to get rid of the bag. I am over a year out with my pouch and have had no other major issues other than the chronic pouchitis which is upsetting as my actual surgeries went 100 perfectly with the exception of a minor stricture that worked itself out over time. I think you should be fine but I would not buck surgeon's protocol.

I forgot to add, as DJB has, that I passed my pouchogram at just over the two month mark.

i live far from cleveland clinic and my pouchogram will be the day before my takedown so i dont have to travel there twice in 2 weeks. i think its wise to leave date as well and will stay the course. i too cannot wait to get this bag off.

I could not wait to get the bag off either, towards the end of the 3 months my skin around the stoma was tremendously irritated and I had a yeast infection. This was due to constant leakages.

If your pouchogram is scheduled the day before you will probably pass and then proceed to takedown. But you must pass that pouchogram in order for the takedown to happen.

my surgeon said the same thing. they very rarely have to delay takedown but forewarned me.

I had a terrible time with my ileostomy- we never found a bag that I wasn't allergic to, among other serious complications. My ostomy nurse called my surgeon on my behalf and asked if we could schedule my takedown sooner. Since my surgeon was going to be deploying it worked out better for everyone. I passed my pouchogram,then had step 3 a little over two months after step 2.

kjeane, ive been reading where people have used pepto for pouchitis. have you heard or tried this?

http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums/...1071921/m/9537060016

I had my takedown date moved up to accommodate a vacation. I thought that eight weeks would be more than enough time for me to recover. I had been led to believe that after the eight weeks mark I would have the life I had before uc. Ha!

I love my j-pouch but realistically it will be much longer, maybe four months?, before I expect to have a normal amount of energy and feel more confident about being away from easy access to bathrooms.

Based on my experience, I would move first and then have the surgery. Moving is too stressful to try and handle during recovery.

Everyone is different, but I would personally have to agree with Subzeromambo and have takedown after the move. It has been 4 months for me since takedown and it hasn't always been easy.

I waited a full year before having my takedown and never regretted it. It was my choice and my work schedule which helped me make that decision. I had absolutely no issues after takedown and I credit waiting all that time with my good fortune. Best wishes.