Barbie Butt Surgery; Are My Recovery Expectations Foolish?!?

Quick Background: I (m29) was diagnosed with UC in December 2024 and was hospitalized in January/February and eventually had a total colectomy with ileostomy and a Hartmann's pouch on March 14th, 2025. I was originally 190 pounds before becoming sick and dropped to less than 130 lbs at the time of my surgery (I am 6'2" if you round up). Six weeks post-surgery, I was already back to playing contact sports, and my weight was about 165, and I was gaining 5 lbs a week. Now I have settled at 180 lbs and enjoyed the entire summer full of lacrosse, rugby, Gaelic hurling, volleyball, and dirt-bike adventures. I pretty much feel like I am nearly in the best physical condition of my life today writing this.

Ostomy life has not bothered me at all. I have decided to NOT attempt a J-pouch reversal procedure and opted for the Barbie/Ken butt procedure. My doctor mentioned no strenuous activity for 6 weeks (same as my ostomy surgery), so I expected to be almost fully healthy by then. After doing some research, it seems like a 2-3 month recovery time is likely a more realistic timeline.

Should I be expecting a much longer recovery time, or is my recovery expectation not that crazy if I am going into the surgery in near peak physical condition?
Ultimately, I have a snowmobiling/snowboarding trip planned for out west shortly after my 6-week surgery mark, and after doing some additional research, I am now thinking I should back out ASAP so my group has enough time to find a backfill.

A young, healthy man like yourself will most likely heal faster than most!

I don't remember exactly how long it took me to heal. About the only issue I have to this day, five years later, is the stretching of the suture wounds/scars. Turning in a seat or lifting a leg too high quickly reminds you!

Glad you are here! Keep us posted on how you're doing.

Hi,

I think you probably know the answer to this one. Personally, I wouldn't take any unnecessary risks that could compromise the healing process. My experience with this surgery was that it took about 4 months before the wounds fully healed and a bit longer for the scars to flatten. It's now over 2 years since my surgery, and there is still some tightness across my butt, although it doesn't affect my range of movement. Although I don't do either of the activities you mention, I imagine they would both put a lot of strain on the incisions. Also, 6 weeks after surgery, there were days when I felt very fatigued, not what you want on an activity break. Great that you've recovered so well from your previous surgeries, but I would recommend caution; it's just not worth the risk of opening up the wounds and possibly getting an infection.

As said above, if you're fit and healthy, you should recover pretty well. But six weeks, then snowboarding/snowmobiling, hmmmm.

Remember, your arse is going to get a pounding on the seat of the snowmobile/dirt bike. I also ride dirt bikes; my surgeon said to give it 4 months before riding. I gave myself 8 months but probably could have done it a few months sooner. I did a lot of standing riding for some time. I still find myself being careful how I sit on the seat; I find myself lopsided, sitting on one cheek, haha, probably out of habit. As the previous person said, a big turn on the seat soon reminds you of the surgery. There's no pain or discomfort involved for me, but an odd sensation nearly 2 years on.

As for other non-impact activities, you should be back into it reasonably quickly.

Like always, it's a case-by-case situation.

Doctors know best.

This was just my experience; I'm not a doctor.

I wouldn’t do a trip like that that soon. In 6 weeks, you may feel ok but there is no way that after being sliced in half that you’ll be fully healed. The worst thing you could do is tear that apart. 

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If your snowmobile adventure takes place far from a hospital... You don't want to be far from a hospital. Especially bouncing on a snowmobile seat.

Being in top physical shape is great... but healing from major surgery like Barbie Butt can be arduous and painful.

Maybe reschedule the surgery until after the trip.

As you are so young, why would you try to even consider rushing into doing something that I feel will tear open your stitched-up butt and put you back in the hospital? Even if you think your butt looks healed, it's the repairing that's going on inside that you can't see that will open up.

Be a wise man and hold off and enjoy your sports at a later date.

Regards, IGGIE

Hi all, I agree with Iggie; it's the internal healing that takes time.

I'm almost 3 months post-Barbie surgery, and to be honest, I'm not fully healed. The internal stitches can take up to a year to fully dissolve. I'm back to somewhat full activity but still have to be mindful not to overstretch the tissue down there.

You'll know your limits as you heal. 2 to 3 months sounds average to be back to somewhat normal activity; some may be longer and others less.

A firm pass on it. As everyone above mentioned, don't risk it.

Don't forget the bloody mess, too, if you pop.

AlexT, e

I was back to work and golfing after 6 weeks. My sutures were healed and dissolved by then. I even passed my inflatable pillow to a recent patient with similar surgery. That being said, I had a good feeling about how I was healing. My "Ken Butt" has held up well. Secure your bag with a Stealth Belt or a similar item. Bring supplies for an emergency repair. Go out and have a good time. You deserve it.

Best of Health,

SharkFan

Golfing isn't much of a sport and has no impact possibilities like what the OP says he's looking to do.

Can you please explain a barbie butt?

I had to have my entire colon and rectum removed and it took at least a couple of years for the healing to settle around the rectum since I experienced fistulas.

Having sits baths at least a couple of times per day helped. 

I would be very careful not to put any strain on that area to prevent damage. Even now 50 years later, it can get sore if I lift too many heavy things.

Patients can elect to have their pooper chute sewn up, closed.

It's referred to as a Barbie, Ken, G.I. Joe, Hulk butt. Any famous plastic doll.

Ken and Barbie are famous and familiar terms.

Do you know if you have one yourself?

I had one in Nov 2023, but I still have pain after sitting for an hour or so. I sit on numerous pillows and foam cushions, but it doesn't really help. The surgeon just keeps saying to give it time. I'm not sure how much time I'm supposed to give it, but I don't have much choice.