There are a lot of us on here that have had the surgery, myself included. I have only had the first surgery where they removed my colon and created a j-pouch, and my takedown surgery (where they connect the j-pouch) is scheduled for the 25th of this month. I am very excited. I already feel a million times better than I ever did with UC. Surgery is a huge decision, but if you ask ANY of the people on this site if they would do it again, they all say yes. My advice to you is to do as much research you can, and become friends with people on here to hear their stories. You can read through people's journals about their experiences as well. That helped a lot for me. Finding this site was one of the best things that ever happened to me because I finally found other people who knew exactly what I was going through. If you ever have any questions about the surgery, please feel free to ask! Good luck in your decision!

Thanks for your response Sarah! How did your first surgery go? Did you lose any weight, I've read that the diet you are on after surgery is limited. I am nervous that there will always be the possibility that I might have to live with a colostomy bag incase of comlications, but I guess at this point anything would be an improvement. How has your recovery been so far?

The surgery itself was "textbook" according to my surgeon. :) I guess that's a good thing. He said my j-pouch is one of the best he's ever done. I hope that means it works really well once it's connected! The problem was that I was so sick going into the surgery that when I got out, I was really run down and in a lot of pain. You should read my journal about my first surgery if you get a chance. It explains the details of my experience more. I lost about 10 pounds while in the hospital (I was there 10 days) but part of that is due to the fact that I had to be on IV food for a few days. That is explained in my journal too. I have now gained back those 10 pounds. It was hard at first to gain weight because I didn't have much of an appetite, but around 4 weeks post surgery I felt pretty much normal and I started experimenting more with food again. The only thing I steer clear of now are things that give me gas. I can eat pretty much anything I want otherwise. I know that will change again once the j-pouch is connected, but it all takes time to get back to a normal diet. You will have an ileostomy bag (which is different from a colostomy bag) after your first surgery. I didn't like it at first, and I still don't love it, but it allows me to leave the house and eat what I want without pain and worry. I was also worried about having to have the bag forever, but I was happy to find out I won't. It's normal to be worried about that. I have to admit the first 4 weeks were a struggle with pain and everything that came along with the aftermath of a major surgery, but now I feel GREAT. I honestly mean that. I would go through it all over again to feel like I feel now. The most important thing for me has been to stay positive through this whole thing. I am really excited for the next surgery. 11 days... (not that I'm counting... ) ;)

hey
i was 24 diegnost with UC, 90cm of my left side of my colon was involed, i was forceing my GI doctor to go for surgery, he reject my demend, at that time only medication was AZALFADIN and PREDISON, know ther is alots of defrant MEDiCATIONS, i think you shuold do moor rserch befor you change your life, diet is most important parts, evryone is difrent ,change your doctor ,change your lifestyle,relax don't worry your bodyheals it by itself,
i am on ASACOL,800 mg a day and 6MP,
I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK.
bad typing sorry.
DAVID

Thanks David,

This is the third doctor that I've been too, not including my second opinion appt in a few weeks. Asocol gave me insane migranes so I had to stop that and I was given 6mp after I was hospitalized and that gave me pancreatitis. I'll def look into more research though, thanks!

Hey ldevico09, Sarah is right, there are a lot us on the board. Sometimes we log in sporadically, but we're all here. I had my colon removed in December of '09. I had to have 3 surgeries because my surgeon felt that I wasn't in good enough shape to do it in 2. I had my pouch created in June '10 and I had my takedown four weeks ago.

Let me preface by saying that surgery is a serious thing, because like they say, once you lose your colon, you can't get it back. Just about everyone here fears it and tries their best to prolong surgery by taking medication after medication.

In my case I was REALLY sick and I was fed up with the meds. I was taking 20+ pills a day AND remicade infusions and nothing was working.

I had to say though, HAVING SURGERY WAS THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I feel 1000% better. I'm eating normally and my body is returning to normal rather quickly. It's only been a month since my takedown and I am gaining more and more control and confidence.

Unfortunately, I can't advise you on your final decision because that's something that you have to be comfortable with, but I can say that surgery has changed my life for the better. I feel like a normal person again.

Good luck with your decision and keep us all updated!

Sugah

Oh yeah, I always do this on here, I made a website documenting my experiences with surgery. It begins right before my first surgery in December '09 and I update it consistently. If you want any insight into what you may experience, feel free to check it out:

sites.google.com/site/ulcerativecolitismystory

once you lose your colon you can not grt it back, she is right,
you came to this world in one pice , and leave on one pice.
UC is runnig in my family, i have a cure , it sounds crazy but, A german doctor gave my brohter a medication called , TRAMADOL
DROLPS, is slowdown colon activies, and is working for hem, hes not going to battroom 10 times a day, he is just as normal as ....
ther is help out ther, don"t make life time dessisonnn''', you are to young, be paytion, i was just like you, be strong, get suports from your husband, is very sirius disese.
last world , god is charge,
againe sorry abut my franch crapy typing.be payyttttiiiionnnnnssss
David.

I have Crohns and my disease is in the small intestine and I have had three resections surgeries. I always tell anyone get a second opinion on this kind of surgery. Talk it over with your family too and make an informed decision. I wish you the best with everything.

Welcome aboard... There are many who've had surgeries. I'm one of the few it seems that has chosen to avoid flares with diet. My GI probably could have just kept trying drug after drug, but every drug just made me feel worse with more flaring and sharp pains in my stomach. (I tried at least 5 different ones...) I discovered by keeping a food diary that Dairy was a major trigger for my flares. Too much sugar and I would have bleeding. If I avoid these life is good!
After getting the OK to stop the drugs and try avoiding these dietary things by my GI... that's what I've been doing to have control. It's been 30 yrs or more - I've had 4 children - all grown now... Worked through some of my worse years... Still doing great with no meds. I'm a firm believer in diet, nutrition. exercise and relaxation. A food diary is a must! Good luck to you!
If you've tried everything else and your quality of life is so bad that you need surgery than that's what you need to do... I have a sister who needed several surgeries and had plenty of difficulties learning what she needed to eat all over again there were a few things that caused a blockage - today she's a ball of energy - she's had an ilieostomy for about 22 years life is different but it hasn't slowed her down a bit. Remicade 's been her answer... Lots of decisions always... Keep informed all you can and work with you doctor as a team player. Lots of us here to support you! Luck to you!

Thank you everyone for your kind words. It helps to hear everyones experience since this is not a easy decision to make.