This topic is about being cautious when considering so-called "cures" and experimental implants for ostomates, particularly those being marketed as solutions for ileostomies. Here's a breakdown of the advice and insights shared:

- Be wary of any procedure advertised as a "cure." It's important to ask for long-term data, complication rates, and independent peer reviews before deciding on experimental surgeries like the TIES implant or J-Pouch.

- The term "stoma-cure" can be misleading. Some devices may just create a different type of stoma rather than providing a true cure.

- Marketing materials for these devices often use profit-oriented language and may present company certifications as if they were product safety certifications. They might also lack important information such as dates, peer-reviewed data, user reviews, or outcomes for trial participants.

- There is a concern about the lack of transparency regarding failures, research fund expenditures, and patient follow-up, which could exploit patients who are eager for a solution.

- It's advised to look for peer-reviewed evidence, open patient forums, and balanced information before volunteering for invasive trials or paying for unproven technology.

- Personal experiences with the J-Pouch procedure show that initial success can be followed by severe long-term complications like pouchitis, infections, and functional failure if the anal sphincter is weak. This can lead to multiple corrective surgeries and years of pain, with some patients eventually returning to a conventional ileostomy.

- Pain management attempts might lead to self-medication and addiction, such as using alcohol or medications like Vicodin, especially when doctors cannot resolve chronic pouchitis.

- Surgeons may downplay potential downsides, so it's helpful to bring a trusted person to appointments to help ask questions, record details, and interpret complex information.

- The profit-driven nature of U.S. healthcare can sometimes compromise patient welfare. It's recommended to seek non-profit or academically affiliated centers when possible and to demand full disclosure of any financial incentives behind new devices or procedures.