Hi Rachel-Louise...thought I might throw in a few comments on this issue as I was in a similar position as you, following an operation for an ileostomy 3 years ago due to ulcerative colitis.... In the several months following the surgery, the disease in my rectum stump receded considerably, or put another way, the frequency of discharge went from daily to once every 2 to 3 weeks... However, that trend reversed to the point that I was back on the daily discharge routine. So here is where things get complicated... You don't want to have to deal off and on with a diseased rectum stump, I would assume, nor chance rectal cancer, which is a risk that must be considered with having a diseased rectum. If you remove the rectum, then you must depend solely on the strength of the anus to hold back the waste... Mind you, with a reversal, a greater portion of the water in the stool will be removed during the digestive process, however, it will still tend to be more liquid than solid. My decision around this issue was to stay with the bag simply because I did not want to deal with incontinence, risk anal or rectal cancer, and minimize the need for future surgery... But I am 60.... You're much younger and the prognosis could be quite different, and besides, medical know-how is advancing rapidly... That all said, I can speak for many here which would offer the following advice... TAKE YOUR TIME IN MOVING FORWARD WITH ANY DECISION, surgeons seem at times to want to get right to it!!!! And most importantly of all, IDENTIFY THE VERY BEST RECONNECT SURGEON THAT YOU CAN FIND AND GET HIS OPINION.... SUCCESS IN THIS BUSINESS DEPENDS ON THE SKILL OF THE SURGEON. It could make a huge difference in your quality of life over the next decades... Good luck, Scotiaman.