Surgery was the most difficult decision I ever had to make!!! My daughter was 3 yrs old. We had moved away from friends and family and I had left my G.I. dr. and was seeing a colon rectal surgeon for my U.C. I had U.C. for 10 years, diagnosed at 19 years old. Back in 1989 there weren't as many medications available for it so preds, etc. were the answer to trying to control u.c. but when all the meds failed I chose the surgery. It took 6 surgeries to make the J pouch correct. (my original surgeon screwed up!!!) Ended in Cleveland Clinic in the hands of Dr. Ian Lavery who is my hero! There are dark moments to a j pouchers life...but there are also good days too. But you must remember....every body is different. What may work for me, may not work for you. But once you decide on surgery for a j pouch remember that it's a very big surgery and know that with all surgeries, big or small, there are risk.