bcir

[cindy113]

Hello my name is cindy ,i had the bcir procedure done in 1990,everything has beed great axcept on jan 13,2009 i was at work lifting and my stoma came out about a thumbs length.i was so scared because i live in omaha nebraska were no dr's have any knowledge of the BCIR. i went a colon surgeon and laid down to relax and thanked god it fixed itself. has anyone heard of this happing??? Thanks Cindy

[CindySam]

I too have a BCIR which was created about 10 years ago. Mine was created by Dr. Rehnke in St. Petersburg, FL. It is so nice to meet you on line. I have never heard of the stoma coming out but I wonder if it had anything to do with the lifting. The nurse that helps with the program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital is a doll. You should post this question on http://www.BCIR.com and see what advise they can give you.

[lifescircle]

How are you in 2014? I'm considering BCIR surgery and would like to know your experiences.
thanks

[BillV]

Although I am not the one you directed your questions to, I have had a BCIR since April, 2013 (Dr. Rehnke in Florida). For the first 3 months post-op, I had pouchitis and some valve leakage while my pouch “matured”. These issues then disappeared and have not returned. I can honestly say that my quality of life with the BCIR is fairly close to what I enjoyed before I had any surgery. I am able to eat almost anything I want, do not take any medications for the BCIR, empty my pouch with a small catheter 4-5 times a day at my convenience, and do any physical activity I want. I have no regrets about my decision to have a BCIR and the care I received from Dr. Rehnke and the hospital staff was top notch. I suggest you go to the BCIR website (www.bcir.com) for more information about the procedure and to request an information packet that includes a list of about 300 people with a BCIR who would be pleased to relate their experiences with you. Feel free to send me a PM if you wish.
Bill

[vabeachguy]

Hi, my name is Vince, I'm new to this site and have recently heard about the BCIR procedure. I got some information from Palms hospital a few days ago and am doing as much research as I can before finding out if I am a candidate for this surgury. I had my iliostomy in January 2014 and have been attempting to adjust. I have been told I have a very high output, if I eat or drink anything I am constantly in the bathroom emtying this bag. 25 or 30 times a day is average. I feel as though I don't have much of a life. The BCIR sounds like a dream right now. From my limited research so far it seems as though if it works, it is great, if there are complications(pouchitus), it can be a big problem. I mentioned this to my ostomy nurse last week and she advised me to do a lot of research. I went all my life with no real digestive issues until 2009 when I had my first GI bleed followed by my first colon resection a few hours later.After five surguries, either resections, exploratory surgury, and resection repairs, my sixth surgury in 4 1/2 years was the iliostomy.My first three surguries, the biopsy showed no Crohns. The fourth surgury biopsy came back positive and I have been injecting Humira for two years now.The Crohns is no longer active so I may still be a candidate for BCIR. Crohns is conterindicated for this procedure although I was told it is looked at on a case to case basis. Before the iliostomy I was in the bathroom 25 or 30 times a day. Now I still am emtying my pouch 25 or 30 times a day. At least now I am not in the hospital every few weeks because I am so dehydrated my kidneys are failing. Not having an external appliance and only having to empty an internal pouch a few times a day sounds very appealing.

[lifescircle]

Sounds like you've really been through a lot. The info Palms sent to you should have a patient referral list. I think the list mentions what they had and why they had a BCIR, too. I'd email or call those with Crohns and see how they're doing now. This might be an obvious question for you, but have you ever taken Lomotil for high output or tried bananas or tomato soup to thicken. Sure helps me. Also, a vegetarian diet for a week really thickens my output. High fat diets make output very liquidy for me. But I had Ulcerative Colitis. From what I've learned, they'll give just about anyone a BCIR - if you have enough bowel to do so safely. I think they want to offer the option as much as possible for those suffering with what they presently have. I think the mindset is that it might work and improve your life. If not, you can always go back to what you had before. But that's my limited opinion. There are various potential problems so be prepared to return to your surgeon in Fl. for "tune ups", as one person with a BCIR calls them. Not too many doctors out there familiar with it, so find a local doc who supports your decision, is informed about it(I gave mine a Palms packet), and ask them if they are prepared to work very closely with you in the event of an emergency or complication and ask them to be ready to call Palms and speak to them if/when you have trouble. Most people on the patient referral list say it's been worth it to them and that they'd do it again and they don't mind "tune ups" to keep their BCIR'S. Mine is scheduled for Dec. 17. Hope this helps. Bill V. may be able to tell you more, or email Susan Kay at Palms. You may or may not be a candidate but they can let you know once the medical team reviews your medical records. BEST TO YOU!

[vabeachguy]

Thanks lifescircle, good luck on your upcoming procedure. I looked through the list of patients that Palms sent me and there is one that lives locally that had their procedure about 20 years ago. Seems like a good one to ask their opinion. I have been on lomotil for about four years and also suppliment it with over the counter immodium,still have very liquid output most of the time. I do eat bananas and oatmeal seems to help a little.I recently tried applesauce and marshmellos too but neither really seemed to do much good.I really trust my surgeon that has been working on me these last five years and am planning on getting her opinion as well as my gastrointerologist, who I also trust. I've been working with him from the beginning too. I'm glad I found this site. I have some good friends who I can talk to but try to keep most things general so I don't gross them out. At least here we all go through a lot of the same things.