Well, after 15 or so months I've finally reached the point where we can undo this. I had terrible diverticulitis, the surgeon said it was "fistulas everywhere". I had a double colonoscopy (both ends) about a month back and everything checks out A-OK in terms of my healing.
I'm a little concerned about potential trouble, but she assures me she foresees no post-surgical trouble and that I should expect to be "back to normal" in a short period of time.
I'll log in from my hospital bed and update.