Hey Scott -- thank you for your response.
Your "gradual procedures" suggestion is interesting. Unfortunately, besides the risks associated with general anesthesias, I'm pretty sure my Medicare supplemental insurance (Anthem) would balk once they realized what was going on. And, where I am in Maine is a minimum 3 hour drive from the Lahey Clinic in MA. So, just going down there for a 5-minute digital exam is a full day expedition.
The doc did mention that people with strictures often have to repeat the dilation on a somewhat regular basis. He said he had a number of patients who dilate themselves and that I could find the necessary dilators (similar to those he uses in the OR) on Amazon.
Or, if dilation under general anesthesia becomes a somewhat regular thing, I'll probably consider seeing a colo-rectal surgeon up here in Maine. My attitude to this point has been that no one messes with my pouch/GI system except my surgeon at Lahey who re-plumbed me. But, my surgeon is now semi-retired so I'm seeing a new, younger doc in the department anyway. And, my brother used the Portland, Maine "colo-rectal surgical system" a year ago for rectal cancer and all indications were that the situation up here is much improved over what it was 17 years ago when UC was ravaging my colon.
Re your comments on leakage and using an antibiotic: I have been taking Flagyl chronically/constantly since maybe the first year after my pouch surgery. My understanding at the time it was first prescribed was that it was to control "overactive flora and fauna" in my gut that was giving me "gurgles and bubbles" ...no memory of inflammation or pouchitis having been mentioned. I know that if I discontinue taking the Flagyl that things do get upset and I happily re-start taking it.
I heard from the surgeon's team yesterday and the dilation is now scheduled for 7/31/2019.
Thanks again for your comments!!
Jim in Maine