Moving Abroad/Extended Travel Overseas

I moved to Paris from Canada 4yrs after my K pouch creation.

I did not speak the language or have medical coverage.

It was risky, it was scary and very challenging but after 38yrs I guess that it was worth it.

We now live in the day of internet. You can do research on the medical situation in each country, their insurance and hospital situation, their knowledge of your specific condition and where you can find a doctor that can help you if needed.

You can carry all of your scripts, pre-order and have meds shipped, download your whole medical file onto a USB key...

So unless you are hiking in Napal (and I am sure that there would be a way to get help even there) you should be ok in a civilized country (not a moral but medical judgment).

The rest is a question of your basic health situation pre and post-op and how strong or adventurous you feel.

Good luck...and keep us posted on your adventures!

Sharon

I would suggest before you move anywhere: get the J-pouch surgery first and then take a year to get use to things first. And after that, then plan to move. You definitely do not want to move before you get the surgery done and getting use to things first. You come first before moving.

Hmm I know this is an old thread but curious what came of it. I’m a very adventurous person and am also keen to travel more and live abroad, but I got my colon taken out after getting a parasite in Mexico that triggered a flare. I had been traveling  for six weeks. Had two major flares, but carried on until I couldn’t any longer and was hospitalized in Mexico. They told me to fly home asap and within 5 days of coming back to the states, I had my colon removed. I had UC for 18 months at that point so wasn’t aware of the risks.

Despite that story, I still look back at that trips as one of the highlights of my adult life. And I’ve worked so hard to get healthy that I want to live the life I imagine. I’m only three months post takedown so not the time yet but I fear the timing will never be right if a parasite from a touristy town in Mexico could almost kill me haha.

I know I’m in early days.

I've got a k pouch.  I've had it since I was 18. That's over 40 yrs.

I travel, go to Strange places and do things that even healthy people would refuse.

Not suggesting anything,  just saying that our various diseases and conditions shouldn't limit us.

I had the k pouch done because I didn't want to be limited and my skin was too fragile. I blistered and bled with a flange.

The k pouch gave me the freedom to live my life on my own terms.

Sharon