Hey
(well, i'm recovering, so i have nothing better to do then sit on the computer AAALLLLL day! hence the quick replies, hehehehhe....
anywho, i actually had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. They're world reknown for treating this, and b/c i wanted whats known as a Kock Pouch, they only do them at a few select places, and Cleveland clinic is one of them.
The surgeon is pretty famous for this (and other) surgeries and working with FAP patients, his name is Dr. Victor Fazio.
but my surgeon here, Dr. Saclarides, worked with Dr. Fazio at cleveland, and he referred me to cleveland b/c he knew he woudln't be able to do the surgery i wanted.
i have a PPO, it sucks, but one of the good thigns is i can self refer.
i don't know about the illinois masonic surgeon, but i know my doc is at Rush University and teaches this procedure to others and has written several books and reports on colorectal disorders, specifying in cancer and hereditary disorders.
that's why i felt so comfortable with him.
he even is on their tv commercial! heheheheh....
anywho, it's really a matter of who you feel comfortable with. meet with all the surgeons you can, get all the opinions you can, tell them your concerns, see how well they address your quality of life after surgery, your body image, your long term survival, etc.
its a very personal decision picking a surgeon, especially when you're doing this as a preventative measure. i was in a bit more of a dire situation i needed surgery and treatment ASAP.
while you still need to have it, you have a bit of luxury in that you can meet with several doctors and determine which direction you want to go.
good luck with it all!
the surgery is generally like 6 to 12 weeks to recover. it depends on all what you have done. a jpouch surgery is usually done in two steps. step one they remove your colon and you do have a temporary ileostomy for usually about 2 or 3 months. then you go back in and have the pouch connected and the ileostomy closed up.
it's not as bad as it sounds really. i'm two weeks post op (actually a tiny bit over two weeks) and i really don't feel too bad at all. i am not going back to work yet, but i am up and about. i go out to lunch with friends, and i'm going to an art show today. i'm flying back to cleveland next week for a follow up visit, and i feel just fine to do that.
you will be out of work for a little bit, that was also a huge concern of mine, as i only work parttime to begin with. but alot of my friends and family have come together to put fundraisers together for me to help pay my medical bills as well as my living expenses when i can't work
(you can check out my website at
www.cancer-sucks.com )
anywho, i'm sure you will do just fine. as recovery also depends on how healthy you are going into the surgery. and you have the benefit of probably being pretty normal all things considered as opposed to alot of patients who have the surgery b/c of things like Ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease where they may be on heavy steroids for long periods of time before hand.
i'm sure it will be a challenge, but you will do just fine.
where in chicago do you stay? i've grown up here and absolutely love my city! good to meet another chi-towner!
b