How long after surgery do check ups beome maintenance as opposed to recovery?

For pouches with pouchitis/inflammation and/or a dysplasia/cancer history in the colon, annual scopes are indicated and typically are covered by insurance carriers in the USA.  I have had annual scopes for the last 20 plus years.  The reason for this is that they leave rectal cuff tissue inside you and so long as there is inflammation, it needs to be biopsied as the threat of rectal cuff cancer exists, especially if you had dysplasia in your colon pre-colectomy.  If you had dysplasia in the colon, from what I have been told, an annual scope schedule is suggested to monitor and watch that rectal cuff to see if anything develops.

 

For pouches that show no inflammation at the one year mark posttakedown, and where no history of dysplasia or cancer is present, you can be put on a scope schedule of anywhere from every 2-3 years, although if symptoms develop, this can be changed.  I have heard people with no symptoms going as long as 5 years between scopes.  It is a judgment call for you and Doc based on symptoms and history.

 

In the year after takedown, I recall several in office visits with my surgeon at which he manually scoped me and inserted finger up my rectum to inspect anal sphincter integrity.  This was not really maintenance per se but post-op.  After that I had pouchocopy at one year if I recall correctly.

We have been seeing our surgeon continually since June.  That said, we saw him the entire summer as post op.  Then in Sept. my son had his takedown, and we saw him every two weeks.  Then we started with complications.  By Nov. we went to see the the gastro doctor, had a bunch of tests, admitted to hospital, back to the surgeon, and more surgery in March.  So basically, we have seen a doctor for 10 months on average every two weeks.  I'd like to say we are done, but he has another takedown surgery coming up Sept/Oct.  not sure how long we will continue to see the surgeon from this surgery.  

 

Dianne

I'm in the uk, my surgeries were in sept 2013 and jan 2014 after the last 1 I have seen the surgeon 3 times lastly in October when I went in for a pouchoscopy then a follow up at clinic in December when he said he would see me in 2 years unless I have any problems and then I am to phone him and arrange apt.��

I haven't seen my surgeon (or any colo-rectal surgeon) since a few weeks after my procedure 13 years ago. I've had a couple of pouchoscopies, and perhaps I should have them more frequently, but I kind of like ignoring it as long as it's working.

It varies, depending on your individual case. However, what has me confused is why necessary follow up and/or maintenance would not be covered. Are you talking about denials from some supplemental insurance you have to cover something over and above the NHS coverage? I never heard of the NHS denying necessary exams requested by your doctor.

 

Jan

Jan

I have private medical insurance as a benefit at work. In the uk private insurance policies can be difficult with maintenance treatments.

I could always use the nhs but it's easier and faster if you have private cover

My husband now sees a gastro doctor now for checkups.  

Lab lover, I'm a lab lover too!  They are truly the best!  Do you show yours, or better yet, are they family?  We showed ours for a number of years.  Hard work.  But first and foremost they were family!  Miss them so much.  if you show them, where are you from?

 

 

dianne

Scott, don't wait too long!  I almost died, from other than this stuff, twice!  I learned in my case, when you can't breath, co to the doctor.

 

dianne