@BillV posted:Your journey with a J pouch is very similar to mine. After 30 years, my J pouch had to be removed due to recurrent high grade dysplasia and a malignant polyp in the anal canal. I also had weakened sphincter muscles. I opted to get a BCIR, a procedure that does not require having an external bag. For this procedure (which is very similar to a Kock pouch), the surgeon creates an internal pouch out of a short section of your small intestine and a valve that holds everything inside until you empty it with a plastic catheter at your convenience 3-5 times a day. The button hole size stoma is located lower on the abdominal wall than that of a conventional ileostomy, is flush with the skin and is covered with a small absorbent dressing. There is no leakage of gas or stool. This procedure has enabled me to have a very good quality of life and eliminated the leakage and skin irritation problems I had with my J pouch.
The two earlier posters have explained how a conventional ileostomy has worked out well for them, and it is not my intent to show that a BCIR or a Kock pouch would work out better for you. It is just another option that is available to you at this time. I wrote an article in UOAA’s magazine, The Phoenix, entitled “Researching My Options”. This article was reprinted on the Quality Life Association’s website (www.qla-ostomy.org) under the Ostomy Options and Education tab. For me, it was assuring to know that there were options available, especially since I strongly did not want to have an external bag. Please feel free to send me a PM with any questions that you have.
Bill
Bill, one of the issues with a BCIR is not many doctors do them. Last I heard only 2 docs in US do them, Tampa and LA maybe is the other one.? A lot of surgeons wont touch them as they don't have training on them unfortunately. I am not sure people would be comfortable getting something that their area docs cannot help with if issues arise. Please correct me if I am wrong.