The topic is about someone preparing for their second surgery in a series of three. This surgery involves creating a J-pouch, which will result in having a temporary loop ileostomy during the recovery period. The person has enjoyed a year of good health with their first stoma, experiencing no dietary restrictions, gaining muscle, and traveling extensively. Despite this, they are curious about the possibility of an internal pouch and want to explore it to avoid future regrets. They are aware of the risks, such as potential complications or ending up with a less functional permanent stoma if things don't go as planned, but they feel it's worth the try. They hope to avoid needing a nasogastric (NG) tube and aim to carry their previous positive recovery experience into this one.

Here are some helpful insights and advice based on their experience:

1. Take your time with recovery. This is a major surgery, so allow yourself plenty of time to heal properly.

2. Chewing sugar-free gum right after surgery can help stimulate your bowels and may prevent postoperative ileus, which is a common issue where the gastrointestinal tract recovers slowly.

3. Consider skipping or delaying narcotic pain medication to reduce the risk of slowing down your bowel function. However, make sure to manage your pain adequately as needed.

4. It's normal to want to try for an internal pouch to satisfy your curiosity and avoid wondering "what if" in the future. Many people feel the need for this personal closure before deciding on a permanent stoma.