Ileo-anal pouch

We have all this.

But this J-Pouch situation is unique.

There aren't that many of us, even though we talk to a lot of them on the show.

It makes me feel like there are a lot of us.

And that's what happened to me.

So I haven't always been anti going back to the doctor.

Just post J-Pouch, I've been anti going back to the doctor.

But I have made steps.

Because the autoimmune disease will relentlessly recur in any rectal stump left behind, carrying a massive risk for future rectal cancer.

The IPAA is a marvel, but it has complications like puchitis or small bowel obstructions.

And because of the high leak risk in the deep pelvis, the IPAA is almost always protected initially with a temporary diverting loop ileostomy.

It’s a massive multi-year surgical journey, and we must highlight the massive terrifying cancer risk that hangs over these patients.

The cancer risk in UC is profound.