AndrewD
I had a j-pouch for 26 years. It was ok for about 5 years and for the last 20 years it slowly deteriorated.
The doctor I had been seeing from the beginning wasn't offering me any options and with my health insurance I was trapped in a network, so I had to change my health insurance that allowed me to go to any doctor who accepted it.
The new doctors said the pouch had to come out.
By the time it was removed in 2017 it was serving no purpose at all.
I don't know how the decision was made to remove it. I wasn't even aware there was an option but I'm glad that it was.
You might want to seek another colon and rectal surgeon who will offer you some options.
The recovery was tough because I got my ileostomy at the same time. My butt was closed completely and I couldn't sit or lie on my back for weeks. No sitting on the toilet either! Couldn't lie on my stomach either because of the ileostomy.
But I survived and if you need it, you will too.
I hope my experience helped.
Good luck and if you want to ask me anything else don't be shy.
E&I