This topic is about someone who is preparing for a significant surgery to remove their rectum after experiencing chronic pain and multiple unsuccessful surgeries. They are feeling anxious about this upcoming procedure, which will be their ninth surgery in just 18 months. The initial surgery for hemorrhoids did not go well, leading to a colostomy in early 2009, and they have been dealing with ongoing pain ever since. They are reaching out to see if others have been through similar experiences.

Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others who have faced similar situations:

1. Many people who have had their entire colon, rectum, and anus removed due to conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or cancer report significant relief from previous symptoms. They no longer feel the urge to defecate and generally enjoy a good quality of life after healing. Some experience phantom urges to "sit and wipe," but these tend to fade over time.

2. Effective pain management after surgery is possible. One person shared their experience of having a 4-day epidural, followed by a 2-day patient-controlled morphine pump, and then oral painkillers. They were able to start walking within 19 hours after surgery. It's important to choose a surgeon with plenty of experience.

3. A common minor issue after surgery is discomfort when sitting on hard surfaces due to the loss of natural padding. Using soft cushions or padded seating can help alleviate this discomfort.

4. There are some small everyday benefits, such as not needing to use public toilets or buy toilet paper.

5. A potential but less common complication is pudendal nerve damage, which can lead to ongoing pelvic pain. Some people are considering nerve-ablation procedures, like laser treatments, as a future option to address this.

6. If a rectal stump is left after previous surgery, ongoing urges or the passing of mucus or pus might indicate issues like disease or narrowing of the stump. Complete removal of the stump resolved these problems for one person.

The person preparing for surgery has strong family support, including a husband of 30 years and three adult children, which can be a great source of comfort and strength during this challenging time.