Thanks for your response. Hopefully since I have 2 different opinions from the Hopkins surgeons (one in favor of operating and one in favor of conservative treatment) a third opinion will help. ) The third person has to agree with one or the other. I do agree that I will still be the one who has to be comfortable with. the decision and that I will be the one who has to make that decision. I want to talk to a physician who is primarily interested in Inflammatory bowel disease and works or has worked at an Inflammatory bowel center. Although Hopkins has a good reputation they are not presently doing any studies or have grant money in this field. I may not find out much at N Y U but I am willing to try . I also realize because I like to travel I could end up in a very small local hospital and need emergency surgery there with whatever surgeon that may be available at that time.