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.
Your Treatment Options for Ulcerative Colitis
When you have UC, the right treatment can ease your symptoms and give you fewer flares over time. Many therapies can help, but your options depend on how the condition affects you.Most people take medications called aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) that fight swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, in the gut. It helps to avoid certain foods that trigger flares as well. But if your condition is more severe or those standard treatments stop working, you may need stronger drugs or surgery.
Read the Your Treatment Options for Ulcerative Colitis 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
Your Treatment Options for Ulcerative Colitis
When you have UC, the right treatment can ease your symptoms and give you fewer flares over time. Many therapies can help, but your options depend on how the condition affects you.Most people take medications called aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) that fight swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, in the gut. It helps to avoid certain foods that trigger flares as well. But if your condition is more severe or those standard treatments stop working, you may need stronger drugs or surgery.
Read the Your Treatment Options for Ulcerative Colitis 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.