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I was curious how often people have a pouchoscopy done as a matter of regular maintenance, as opposed to there being a specific issue with your J pouch. I haven't had one done in a couple of years and was interested to see if people have a pouchoscopy done on a yearly or regular basis, similar how they would with a colonoscopy. Thanks. 

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I find this recommendation tends to vary, and it may also depend on your pre-op diagnosis. If your pre-op diagnosis was cancer or dysplasia, the recommendation is usually to have a pouchoscopy more frequently. It's important to discuss with your surgeon/GI what schedule is most appropriate for you. At the recommendation of my surgeon, I now go every 2 years unless I'm having problems.  Of course COVID has put a hiccup in that schedule. 

Last edited by Spooky

I have a question, so before my surgeries I had UC and they found dysplasia which prompted the surgery as my UC wasn't even that bad and controlled. When they biopsied by colon after surgery it stated NO DYSPLASIA was found.. WTF?? but that was 12 years ago and was told by DR Shen that I should get scoped every year and biopsied every 2 years. So far biopsies have been great

my insurance sucks so I will just go every other year for my scopes unless I am having an issue

After I got my j pouch, I had a pouchoscopy every 6 months. My surgeon wanted to check for cancer -- which was the reason I lost my colon. This is my 5th year so I graduate to an annual pouchoscopy, but now supplemented with a full body scan to check my organs. I don't think this will be forever. I will likely move to a check up every 2 years. Fingers crossed. If you were diagnosed with cancer or dysplasia, you and your doctor need to be vigilant.

@Pouchomarx posted:

I have a question, so before my surgeries I had UC and they found dysplasia which prompted the surgery as my UC wasn't even that bad and controlled. When they biopsied by colon after surgery it stated NO DYSPLASIA was found.. WTF?? but that was 12 years ago and was told by DR Shen that I should get scoped every year and biopsied every 2 years. So far biopsies have been great

my insurance sucks so I will just go every other year for my scopes unless I am having an issue

Lol, that "WTF" is soo funny XD I love that! Maybe it was meant for you to get it taken out, you never know what might would have happened if you kept it, like perforating for example. Sometimes the Universe has a way of protecting us.

@Winterberry posted:

After I got my j pouch, I had a pouchoscopy every 6 months. My surgeon wanted to check for cancer -- which was the reason I lost my colon. This is my 5th year so I graduate to an annual pouchoscopy, but now supplemented with a full body scan to check my organs. I don't think this will be forever. I will likely move to a check up every 2 years. Fingers crossed. If you were diagnosed with cancer or dysplasia, you and your doctor need to be vigilant.

@Winterberry - I also lost my colon because of cancer. I had a tumor in my colon and one in my rectum. That's great you are in your 5th year! Congrats! 

That’s a good question. I think my doc said every two years but to be honest I can’t remember. I feel like something keep popping up, like pouchitis or something and we have to do it earlier (yearly) so I haven’t been able to make it to 2 years. So 2 years would be my goal at this point. I’ve only had it for 3 years this fall, so it hasn’t even been that long anyhow. 

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