Ulcerative Colitis Surgery: What Are the J-Pouch (IPAA) and Ileostomy Procedures?
Ulcerative Colitis Surgery: What Are the J-Pouch (IPAA) and Ileostomy Procedures?
Surgery can often cure long-term ulcerative colitis (UC). But it’s not for everyone who has the disease.
Your doctor might consider recommending an operation if your UC is very severe and you didn’t get enough help from other treatments, like medicines and changes in diet. It could also be an option to help prevent colon cancer.
7 Tips for Getting Out With UC
"What will my food options be? What if we’re stuck on the tarmac and my symptoms flare? How long will it take me to find a restroom after I land?"These were just some of the questions that fueled Heather Weiss’s anxiety the first time she traveled after her doctor told her she has ulcerative colitis.Like many people who have UC, Weiss has successfully taken on the healthy habits needed to manage her condition. But it’s harder when you’re away from home. “The main issues with ulcerative colitis...
Read the 7 Tips for Getting Out With UC article > >
There are two procedures. Both are major surgery on your digestive system. Get to know the details of each operation, and talk with your doctor about which one she recommends for you.
What it is: In this procedure, also called IPAA (ileal pouch-anal anastomosis), your surgeon will remove the part of your bowel that is affected, including your colon and rectum.
She'll use the end of your small intestine, called the ileum, to make a pouch that collects waste. Then she'll connect the pouch to your anus. (The pouch is inside your body.)
What are the side effects? The pouch can become irritated or inflamed, which you may hear called “pouchitis.” Antibiotics usually take care of the problem.
What to expect after the surgery: Because muscles around your anus aren't affected, you'll eventually be able to get rid of food waste the usual way, on the toilet.
At first you'll need to wear an external bag over a stoma -- a surgical hole in your belly connected to your intestine -- to remove the solid waste, while your new internal pouch heals.
You'll still go to the bathroom often, but probably not as much before the operation. In time, you may go even less frequently.
You may find that you can eat more foods than before you had the surgery, or you may feel better with your familiar foods. Try items one at a time to see how you feel. And avoid eating more than 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Give your recovery some time. Most people eventually get back to all of their usual activities. In the meantime, if you find that you tire out faster than usual, remember that you're healing from the operation.
Your doctor can let you know about any limits you should keep during your recovery. For instance, women who get the surgery should avoid sex for 6 weeks.
Your doctor might consider recommending an operation if your UC is very severe and you didn’t get enough help from other treatments, like medicines and changes in diet. It could also be an option to help prevent colon cancer.
Recommended Related to Ulcerative Colitis
7 Tips for Getting Out With UC
"What will my food options be? What if we’re stuck on the tarmac and my symptoms flare? How long will it take me to find a restroom after I land?"These were just some of the questions that fueled Heather Weiss’s anxiety the first time she traveled after her doctor told her she has ulcerative colitis.Like many people who have UC, Weiss has successfully taken on the healthy habits needed to manage her condition. But it’s harder when you’re away from home. “The main issues with ulcerative colitis...
Read the 7 Tips for Getting Out With UC article > >
There are two procedures. Both are major surgery on your digestive system. Get to know the details of each operation, and talk with your doctor about which one she recommends for you.
J-Pouch
What it is: In this procedure, also called IPAA (ileal pouch-anal anastomosis), your surgeon will remove the part of your bowel that is affected, including your colon and rectum.
She'll use the end of your small intestine, called the ileum, to make a pouch that collects waste. Then she'll connect the pouch to your anus. (The pouch is inside your body.)
What are the side effects? The pouch can become irritated or inflamed, which you may hear called “pouchitis.” Antibiotics usually take care of the problem.
What to expect after the surgery: Because muscles around your anus aren't affected, you'll eventually be able to get rid of food waste the usual way, on the toilet.
At first you'll need to wear an external bag over a stoma -- a surgical hole in your belly connected to your intestine -- to remove the solid waste, while your new internal pouch heals.
You'll still go to the bathroom often, but probably not as much before the operation. In time, you may go even less frequently.
You may find that you can eat more foods than before you had the surgery, or you may feel better with your familiar foods. Try items one at a time to see how you feel. And avoid eating more than 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Give your recovery some time. Most people eventually get back to all of their usual activities. In the meantime, if you find that you tire out faster than usual, remember that you're healing from the operation.
Your doctor can let you know about any limits you should keep during your recovery. For instance, women who get the surgery should avoid sex for 6 weeks.