Postby MissMolly » Mon May 08, 2017 9:10 pm
The BCIR procedure is performed by only a handful of surgeons at only a handful of hospitals (mainly located in Florida and Texas). It involves making an internal reservoir for feces that is accessed to empty/drain by a catheter that is inserted through the belly button). It is an ostomy, of sorts, without an external bag.
I would caution anyone who lives out-of-area from the participating BCIR hospitals and surgeons to proceed with a BCIR. Only someone who lives in proximity to the providing hospitals and surgeons should consider a BCIR. If you have a problem with the internal pouch or the catheter few physicians are going to know how to manage it. The pouch is susceptible to frequent pouchitis (an e-coli bacteria) and the indwelling catheter tract is susceptible to chronic inflammation and fibrotic narrowing.
Bottom Line: Make sure that you fully investigate the BCIR procedure, a full and open due diligence. There is a lot of marketing hype that glorifies the procedure as a carefree option to an ostomy. The fact is, unless you intend to remain in the geographic area where the surgeon and hospital perform the BCI'R, you will be in a quandary to find and access follow-up care. The average surgeon has no idea what a BCIR is.
The BCIR is for a select few individuals.
- K -
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.