This topic is about someone who is preparing for surgery and feeling a mix of anxiety and optimism. They have started their bowel preparation and are using a large-capacity pouch from Hollister to make things easier. They trust their medical team and plan to share their experience with others in the community.

Here are some pieces of advice and insights shared by the community:

1. Community support is important. Many people are sending good wishes for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. They also remind the person to take it easy and not rush into doing too much too soon.

2. Pain management is crucial:
- If the pain is significant, using prescribed narcotics can help, as it's easier to manage constipation than to deal with uncontrolled pain.
- Acetaminophen or Tylenol is a good non-narcotic option to avoid the side effects that can slow down the bowels.

3. Surgical and clinical insights:
- Robotic colorectal surgery can be lengthy, and sometimes air leaks after stapling may require additional stapling.
- If the connection (anastomosis) needs time to heal, surgeons might create a temporary ileostomy, with plans for another procedure in about three months to complete the reconnection.

4. Living with a new ileostomy can be challenging. Healing might feel slow, and managing an ileostomy can be more difficult than a colostomy. However, staying persistent and maintaining a positive outlook can make a big difference.

5. A useful product mentioned is the Hollister large-capacity ostomy pouch, which was helpful during the pre-op bowel evacuation.