UOAA Discussion Board

This isn't a reply but a question. This is my first time on this site and I'm so glad that I've found it since ever since I got my ileostomy in January of this year I have felt like I've been stranded on a deserted island. I had a horrible experience with my gastro clinic/nurses/doctors so upon discharge from the hospital I never heard from them again. I did have a 5 minute follow up visit with the surgeon who looked at my scar, said it was healing and that was the end of his comments. I asked him about the possibility of a reversal at some future time (since that was a question I had asked prior to surgery and was told that it was possible) and he told me "you are too old and obese". By the way...I'm 67, about 30 pounds overweight but otherwise in good health. The ulcerative colitus that resulted in the ileo was the first time I had ever been sick (other than the flu) and the first time I had ever been hospitilized. I do take a cholesteral med but have never taken any other prescription drugs.
Anyway...I gave up on my original doctors and recently met with a gastro doctor in a different hospital. He left his final answer open...not a NO but not a YES either. He sent me to another doctor for a second opinion who basically said I was too old and should just live with the bag for the rest of my life.
Now I just saw something on TV that 70 is the new 30!!!!! I firmly believe I could endure the surgery. I don't want to live with the bag. I feel very restricted and fear traveling (going through security) and even going out for a long day (for fear the bag will get too full). I want to go back to LIVING again.
Sorry for this lengthy post but if anyone out there has any suggestions for me I would be so thankful. Am I really over the hill?

Dear s3867b;

I am 69 and had an ileostomy for 30 years till I decided (insurance finnally covered it) to have a BCIR. You will find that the medical community that has little or no knowledge about the BCIR/Koch pouch will not go out on a limb and give you any info about the procedures. Your best bet is to visit the following website www.bcir.com ,also call the person noted in the wesite (sue) for more info. As to the other procedure (Koch), UOAA site has a list of Doctors that are familiar with this procedure (search for doctors familiar with koch/bcir).

Ray

If you are talking about having your ileostomy reversed, that is not the same as a BCIR or Koch Pouch. If you want to find out about a reversal, you need to find a surgeon who will do it. The same goes for the other two alternatives. You did not mention where you live. That would be a help for further suggestions.