This topic is about someone who is considering surgery to remove a disconnected J-pouch, a procedure often referred to as the "Barbie Butt" surgery. This person has had a permanent ileostomy for three years after several unsuccessful attempts to create a functional J-pouch due to ulcerative colitis. The disconnected J-pouch is causing ongoing rectal discharge, and surgeons have recommended its removal. The surgery is scheduled, but the person is understandably anxious about the risks and recovery. Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Pain and medication: Be prepared for significant pain right after the surgery. It's important to stick to a strict schedule for pain medication to manage discomfort effectively.

2. Mobility and sitting: Moving around, especially getting up and down, might be slow and painful for a few months. Once you're seated, the pain usually lessens, but it might take several months to feel completely comfortable sitting.

3. Post-op hardware: You might have a temporary urinary catheter and surgical drains to help keep the area dry. Removing these can bring a lot of relief.

4. Recovery timeline:
- After about 2 months, most stitches should be out, and you might start feeling "pretty good."
- It could take several more months for any lingering tenderness, especially when moving from sitting to standing, to go away.

5. Scar-tissue considerations: If you've had many abdominal surgeries before, there might be dense scar tissue that could make removing the pouch risky. Surgeons might decide not to remove it if the scar tissue is too dangerous. It's a good idea to discuss pre-op imaging and the surgical plan for dealing with adhesions with your doctor.

6. Outcomes if the pouch remains: In some cases, just reopening and inspecting the area without removing the pouch has reduced symptoms like discharge and cramping. This suggests that full removal might not always be necessary to alleviate symptoms.