This topic is about someone who has been living with an ileostomy since 2014 due to ulcerative colitis. They are preparing for surgery at Guy’s Hospital in London to fix an incisional hernia. During this procedure, the surgeon has suggested also removing the remaining rectal stump to prevent future issues. The person is unsure about this additional surgery and is seeking advice from others who have had similar experiences.

Here are some pieces of advice and insights shared by others:

1. Question the necessity of removing the rectal stump. One person suggests keeping all organs unless there's a strong reason to remove them. It's important to ask the surgeon for a clear, evidence-based explanation of what "further complications" might mean.

2. Get a second opinion. It's a good idea to consult another colorectal surgeon who doesn't know about the first surgeon's recommendation. This can provide an unbiased perspective on whether the rectal stump should be removed.

3. Consider a watch-and-wait approach. Some suggest agreeing to regular monitoring of the rectal stump and only consenting to its removal if it later becomes a problem or causes significant symptoms.