I went thru the EXACT same ordeal. Emergency Ileostomy surgery then years later, rectum removal surgery. I was having a lot of bleeding and phantom pains in the rectum area. It was really effecting my quality of life. Seemed to hit me a lot when sleeping. Nothing I would do would ease the pain, it had to go away on its own. The rectum recovery I think is worse that the ileostomy surgery. It was very hard to get comfortable, due to us sitting on our butts for long periods of time. How long it to me to recover is hard to remember. I think I was out of work for 2 weeks, and when I did return I was sitting on a pillow for maybe a week. It was hard to sit or lay down. I will honestly tell you in my situation it was very uncomfortable. I was healthy. The doughnuts were ok and a fluffy pillow was ok too. I think I spent a lot of time in the recliner. It is only temporary and it will be great once all healed up.