Hi Chad, 

What is the average size...Well, there sort of isn't one, not exactly.

Your pouch is built out of a certain length of intestine...in the beginning, it is rather small but as time goes by and you can 'hold it' longer you 'grow' your pouch.

The longer you can hold it, the larger it can become (within certain limits)...most often, it holds about 1litre (1 quart) of content plus gas +/-.

If you are larger than the average bear (sorry, Yoggi bear humor) then you will 'grow' your pouch accordingly. According to how much you eat, how often you empty etc.

Whenever I am 'pouch-sick' and have to go off of solids for an extended period of time or have had surgery, my pouch shrinks to about 300ml or just about 1.1 pints. 

It takes me about 4-6 weeks to re-stretch it a bit. Up to 6 months for it to reach its size of maturity.

Evidently, you can, within reason, control the size of it by either eating less or emptying more often. 

I understand the problem of having a large appetite but maybe you could eat smaller meals a little more often.

Sharon

I asked my surgeon immediately after the op.  He told  me I was 330ml capacity, and that they normally aim for around 300 to 350 ml or so.

The reason they use this size is it the average capacity of a rectum (which was obviously removed during the op).

I'm not saying it won't stretch mind you, but I'm my experience it doesn't stretch much (without pain).

Hth

Generally it should be about the size of your fist, give or take, depending on how exactly yours was made. Being taller does not mean you would have a larger pouch. Perhaps the opposite is more likely. The pouch is made by folding of the terminal ileum. 6-12 inches is used, so that makes the pouch 3-6 inches long. Those who have a longer trunk (tall folks) and deep pelvis (men) might have trouble with the mesenteric blood supply reaching to the anus. Making a longer pouch actually shortens the reach. 

Also, remember, the j-pouch replaces the rectum (4-8 inches), NOT the colon (about 5 feet).

You are correct that the more you eat, the more output you will have. Hence, more frequency.

Jan

Thanks Jan. I didn't realize the pouch was replacing the rectum not the colon. That changes the way I think about things. Hope you're doing well!

Jan Dollar posted:

Also, remember, the j-pouch replaces the rectum (4-8 inches), NOT the colon (about 5 feet).

Jan

My colon was completely removed years early and my J pouch created fairly recently.

I wouldn't say I eat a lot, I eat what my body requires for my size, otherwise, I'd be overweight.

My BMs tend to be 2 to 4 per day, sometimes 5 and rarely more than 5, never less than two per day.

My surgeon said the pouch is about the size of his fist, which is bigger than mine-he's probably just over 6 feet tall, I'm 5'3" and a female with very small hands.  

Yes, Tulsamom,

That is why the j-pouch is often referred to as a neo-rectum, not neo-colon. It is also whyyou should never expect or attempt to acheive function like a colon. 

Jan

Jan

I don't know where we all would be be without you.

Thanks isn' enough for all that you do for us all.  I greatly appreciate your existence in this world!

Thanks Chad.  I do think you all would be fine, though!

Jan