I remember reading things when i was first diagnosed that a high majority (can't remember the exact numbers) of Crohn's sufferers would require surgery at some point. I spoke to my consultant about it and he said that the way they tend to treat these days lessens the likelihood of needing surgery in the future.
For example, after my diagnosis i was immediately started on Azathioprine as well as Pentasa, and at the same time as tapering off pred, i guess to try to stop the disease in it's tracks and really get it under control. Whereas my doc said that previously they would have just given Pentasa and it would not be until it was clear that wasn't going to "hold you over", so to speak, that they would give you another, stronger drug. I.e. i would have had to go into flare again, have it controlled by the pred etc etc before they would have considered Aza.
In my head, this means less chance of surgery because less inflammation=less scar tissue=less likelihood of blockages etc?
Anyway, hope this helps - i found it pretty reassuring. I mean, it's not great having to take what i suppose are some pretty serious drugs but for me it beats the prospect of surgery hands down!
