hi sandy,
i am with a jpouch for 14 years (october 2001) one step. Fellow FAP'er.
i have adenomatous through out the jpouch itself (neo rectum). i get scoped yearly for surviellence and biopsied of anything suspicious.
i would not jump to any conclusion that an ileostomy is in your future. I have had a gastroenterologist threaten me that i was headed down that way. I no longer see him, because i deemed his approach inappropriate. And he has 6 cases of fap patients, where as the new hospital i go to, deal with fap every day/many, many cases.
you should be monitored closely, but having adenomaous in the j-pouch does not mean you will lose your pouch. the nature of our illness is "adenomatous" as part of diagnosis.
i recommend yearly surviellence with you gastro dr to stay on top of the newer and older growths.
I also have a stapled j-pouch where i have the rectal cuff attached. Its usually done this way based on the surgeon and your individual case. some pouchers have continannce issues with muscosectomy/hand sewn pouches, others do not. and also your surgeons training depends on how your pouch would be constructed.
back in 2001 my surgery was laproscopically hand assist, and it was 10 1/2 hours. today it is possible to get a one step completed in a couple hours, certainly 10 hours.
i believe if you stay on top of your situation you can keep your pouch with proper surviellance included.
I hope ive made you feel better/not alone somewhat.
regards,
len