Well put, Beach Boy!
You nailed it. Someone explained it as looking at a toy doll's rear end.
But I think she was talking in "layman's terms." What is it? Why the term?
G.I. Joe, Ken, and Barbie. Quite funny in hindsight - pun intended.
I would like to address the question of stump removal as Squirrels in the Attic asked a couple of specific questions, so this goes to Squirrels.
I read your profile.
Having Henry for 40 years is quite an achievement! I'm very much surprised by all the people on this forum with issues with inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's, colitis, cancer, and how much we differ in our experience with the butt that doesn't work or more specifically a rectum detached and whether or not it's worth keeping or getting it working again.
You mentioned the dermatologist is concerned because of the irritation in the front area of your body, thinking that the stump is causing this? He needs some proof - evidence to back that up! Not just the idea to remove the butt and see what happens! Your best approach is seeing an ostomy nurse who has more experience than your dermatologist or gynecologist.
I have a dermatologist that helped, so keep him, but experience is needed here, especially if you choose a surgeon. Research a good one.
How often do you think the dermatologist sees patients like you as compared to an ostomy nurse? Ask your G.I. about finding one.
You are very lucky to just have these phantom bowel movements without discharge, I assume? A lot of us have leakage - a mucus or bloody discharge, and I can speak firsthand from my own experience that only after 6 years of having an ileostomy, the discharge could not be controlled with meds.
Then you question those meds long term - side effects.
On October 9, 2023, I had the Ken butt done. I asked people here months ago the same question about stump removal and recovery. The same people replying to you also replied to me back then. I was and am grateful to them. Thanks, folks.
I am 2 weeks post-op.
Firsthand experience is discomfort. Surprisingly, not much pain. Your cheeks are completely swollen to a point where it feels you have three. Ice cold packs helped a lot.
It does help to "sit on it."
There are restrictions too, which seem common sense, and you gotta walk.
Hospital stay: 3-5 days. I was there 7.
And the type of surgery? Laparoscopic robotic or traditional.
We went in thinking robotic, but unfortunately, he tried and failed. Ended up cutting into the belly area, traditional. Now this too is just uncomfortable 2 weeks out.
But they give you a nerve blocker while under anesthesia. When that wears off, grab the oxycodone! Holy hell!
The question you need to answer is this frontal irritation? After 40 years of Henry, and a non-functioning rectum, what's the source of it?
My reason for having the Ken butt surgery was to stop the embarrassing leakage and reduce the prospect of cancer there, and sincerely we are hoping the rectum was the source of inflammation proven by sigmoidoscopies, causing painful arthritis.
Also, as we found out within six years of an idling stump, Crohn's developed.
Post-op note for the Ken butt guys:
Any of you have trouble peeing after that garden hose-sized catheter got removed?
A Recovering Warrior Indeed.