Hi Group, New here. I want to pose a question to the group and get an opinion from those who have had a J-Pouch. I am s/p Total Colectomy for UC since the surgery in April 2010. I started with a diagnosis of UC in 2001 and it slowly progressed from Mesalamine to various drugs when I started steroids in 2008 and then biologics in 2010, which ultimately failed. I was deathly sick and went to surgery to save my life. It worked to improve my health and I am now 14 yrs since the Total Colectomy. I am essentially healthy but have the Ileostomy and bag which I grudgingly accept as the trade off for now being alive and active and fit. I golf, lift weights, run, and participate in many outdoor activities. Now that I am 65 yrs old and retired, finally, I can consider the idea of doing a J-Pouch surgery (or surgeries since most surgeons do two to create the J-pouch and then later reconnect the system). I've not had problems with the ileostomy, until recently when I've had a peristomal skin breakdown and the doctors think it might be pyoderma gangrenosum. They might have to move the ileostomy to the other side of my abdomen. It got me thinking that it might just be time to try the J-pouch and be done with the stoma completely. I saw a very good colorectal surgeon in my area and had a consult. She reviewed my history and gave me her opinion. She was not at all encouraging and recommended against it. She said I am on the high end of the age where she started seeing more complications such as bowel leakage, suture line leakage, night time leakage, urgency to go, etc. I was a bit deflated since I was thinking I am in great shape overall and eat whatever I want. Any thoughts? Opinions?
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