Pouch or No Pouch

I’m sure I’ll revisit this topic a bunch of times over the next couple of years, but right now I don’t think I’m going to get a J-pouch right now. Maybe some day, but right now it doesn’t seem like the correct decision for me.

In talking with the surgeon about it over the last many months, he told me that pouch’s have about an 80% success rate, but that they don’t really improve the quality of life for the person since the removal of the colitis is really what improves the person’s quality of life and after that, having either a bag or a pouch is just a matter of preference.

So far I’m quite happy with the pouch. It’s easy to deal with. I’ve only really had one major problem and that was when I went rafting for the first time. I guess getting a J-pouch could simplify things a bit since I wouldn’t have to change bags, but I would still be going to the bathroom as many times so that’s really only a small improvement. And I don’t think it’s worth having to take the time off of work or the expense of a surgery.

And there’s no guarantee that it will work. During my last sigmoidoscopy, things are still very inflamed. And that’s almost a year later. So even if I decide to do the surgery, I think it will be in a couple years after I give what’s left of the colon/rectum time to heal or at least calm down.

Life is good right now. I am healthy. I have a great little girl and a wonderful wife pregnant with the next one. I have friends and can once again do things with them. Basically I’ve hit the reset button and right now I don’t want to hit it again.

Explore posts in the same categories: general, ostomy care, outlook, recovery

18 Comments on “Pouch or No Pouch”

  1. manesobab8 Says:

    Rachel,Hang in there! It gets so much easier. Those iantiil weeks are so incredibly overwhelming. I thought about my ostomy just about every minute of every day during the first couple of months. But that is okay! There is a lot to figure out.I learned that it was really important to just take things day by day and to only focus on the issues that presented themselves at any given moment rather than focusing on all the what-ifs of the future. I could barely get an appliance on in my bedroom and my mind already wanted to jump ahead and worry about how I was going to change appliances on a backpacking trip in a remote wilderness. I ended up causing myself a lot of anxiety, and I had to change my mind frame to realize the importance of taking smaller steps.It is hard to fathom how you are going to get back to the things that you love when you are at the beginning of this whole journey. Just have faith that you will get there! Best wishes as you heal up!Take Care,Heidi

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