I was told over the phone by my surgeon that she thinks I will have to have my surgery in 3 steps because I am bleeding. My blood count is still within an OK range. I am not on any medication currently, and I am still working. I really do not want to have the 3 step due to the fact that I won't be getting any benefits from work while I am off. I have been in a flare for 8 months with bleeding. Anybody have the surgery in 2 steps with a long flare with bleeding? I meet with the surgeon on Tuesday.
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How about a second opinion? Your surgeon is just being cautious, and perhaps does not want to make promises she can't keep.
I was in worse shape than you and had a 1-step. Probably was not the best idea...
Jan 
How open is your surgeon to discussing options with you?
Some are willing to listen to your arguements and reasons and then may consider alternate options if they think that it is possible and that it will not put you or your health and future pouch health in danger.
Mine was in the long run and we wanted to do my k pouch in 1 shot but ended up with 3 steps due to how weak I was and what he found when he got in there.
I wasn't happy but the end result was worth it.
Sharon
ps. Writing down your arguments before you enter the office may help you to organize your thoughts and explain yourself clearly when you are under stress.
s
I had the three phase surgery. My surgeon wanted to do the two phase as I had a spot on my colon they were concerned was a possible cancer. To be removed they had to build the pouch right then. I thought it would be too much for my weakened body. It's a long surgery. My surgeon agreed to do the three phase and left the part of colon with the spot (you have to have part of the lower colon remain to have viability in the area you are attaching to, they then remove it in third). I was only going to have that scary spot in my colon three more months. Second phase surgery went well had a blockage afterwards (very painful and traumatic) the spot was not an issue when they did pathology. After each surgery, I could work etc after a few weeks of rest. I believe three phase was the best for me. I was in such bad shape going in, I needed the shorter surgery initially. My instincts told me do the three. I also had a huge deductible $13,000. We made it work. Your health and recovery are more important than anything. Many of my nurses said they see more success with three phase. Go by your instincts for your health. Tell them what you want.
My best to you. Lori
I was hospitalized and on high dose steroids, TPN, and still bleeding and had a two step. My surgeon said he'd never do one steps ever again as he had one patient do extremely poorly, and one was one too many.
I was only 19, though, and if you will, besides a rotten colon, otherwise healthy. That sounds bizarre but it kind of was true. Youth has a way of making everything less awful, sometimes.
I had 4 months between surgeries. Everything went classically well for me, and I was commuting to school and working 20 hours a week 4 months later.