Hi all,
i registered some years back but I don’t believe I have ever posted - here’s my short story
My experience- I’m happy with the surgery (1990 at 27, active male) - had UC along with IBD Arthritis. The surgical process was an ordeal but my UC had worsened to the point it made life hard. I fought it as long as possible 6-7 years but finally Md’s said colon had to go. Dec 1990 - colectomy, spring 1991 pouch creation, summer 1991 takedown. Other than a trip back to the hospital that year for adhesions surgery ( ugh— I mean come on - back in the hospital 😠) and kidney stones in early 1992 my pouch has been uneventful. A few mild cases of pouchitis in the 1990,s that were miserable for 24-36hrs but resolved on its own, I have had no issues. Years go by without a thought to it until I forget that eating something like a bunch of raw pepper slices may not be a god idea with a j pouch. Chew well!
It was a scary period back in the day, I was out of work, bad economic recession in New England, alone in an apartment and away from home. But I troopered through with a good support system, friends, visiting family, a caring former employer who kept me on BC/BS and good medical care
I wish the best to anybody with IBD and hope whatever decision is made with this condition, life works out well.