This topic is about someone who had an emergency subtotal colectomy due to severe ulcerative colitis, resulting in an ileostomy. The person is recovering well and is considering whether to undergo a reversal surgery, which is more complex because only a small part of the colon remains. They are seeking advice on several aspects of living with an ileostomy, including the possibility of future pregnancy and dietary concerns, particularly regarding popcorn.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others with similar experiences:

1. **Diet and Blockage Prevention**
- Many people with an ileostomy safely eat popcorn, but it's recommended to remove as many husks as possible to reduce the risk of blockages.
- Foods that are more likely to cause blockages include grape skins, dried butter beans or lima beans, potato skins, and other tough skins.
- Items that are low in digestibility, such as carrots, mushrooms, black olives, and coated or time-release pills, may pass through unchanged. It's important to monitor your output and consider alternative forms of medication if pills appear intact.

2. **Experiences with Reversal vs. Permanent Ileostomy**
- Individuals who had a reversal with minimal remaining colon often experienced 15–20 bowel movements per day, along with cramps, accidents, and a heavy reliance on medications to manage output.
- Many of these individuals eventually chose to keep a permanent ileostomy, reporting benefits such as:
- No more cramps or accidents
- The ability to eat a wider variety of foods, including popcorn
- Greater control over daily activities and an improved quality of life
- The general consensus is that if only a small segment of the colon remains, maintaining the ileostomy is often easier and more manageable than opting for a reversal or J-pouch surgery.

3. **Emotional Support**
- Engaging with supportive online communities can provide humor and encouragement. Sharing experiences and laughter with others can be a great way to maintain morale while adjusting to life with a stoma.