I never had doubt myself; I hated the colostomy bag, that alone was enough to desire a j pouch, although until finding this forum I didn’t even know what a j pouch was; as when discussed with my Doctors and Consultant, it was always referred to as reconnection and nothing more.
After being treated for UC for years, it’s only when my colon was removed was my Crohns diagnosis made.
After such a diagnosis I was bluntly told, reconnection is no longer an option, due to its high failure rates and that was it; still no mention of a j pouch.
As I’d not had a flare up since my colon was removed or taken any medication to control or prevent flare ups, whether Crohns or Colitis, a new diagnosis of “Indeterminate” Colitis was made.
My new diagnosis lead to J Pouch Surgery and although I was in two minds for a long time, even just prior to my pre Admisions appointment; I came to the conclusion; what have I got to lose.
Not going through with J pouch surgery and I would never know what the outcome would be, if it failed, then I’m back to a colostomy bag, which although I hated it, it wasn’t so bad.
I never considered the surgery required to removed a failed pouch, it just wasn’t a thought.
Since takedown in 2015, life with my J pouch is good, best decision I’ve ever made.
My new normal is no different to my life before UC; yeah, I use the toilet more, there's the odd accident and leakage but it’s nothing compared to what I had to endure with UC.