The topic at hand is about the experience of undergoing surgery to remove the rectum and anal canal, often referred to as a "Barbie-butt" closure. This involves permanently closing the anal opening. Here are some insights and advice for those considering or recovering from this procedure:

- Phantom sensations can vary greatly among individuals. Some people might feel an occasional urge to go, pressure, or mild discomfort, while others may not experience any sensations at all. These feelings usually decrease over time and are generally manageable once you understand they are harmless.

- The physical healing of the closed area can take a while. The warm and moist environment can slow down the healing process. It's important to pack the area with gauze firmly and keep it clean and dry to promote skin growth and minimize irritation.

- Common experiences include soreness and irritation from stitches. Walking several times a day can help speed up recovery and improve your mood. Some people may experience fluid leakage for months, but a course of antibiotics like levofloxacin has helped some individuals. It's best to consult your surgeon if this happens.

- The psychological impact can be significant at first, with feelings of shock being normal. However, most people adjust over time with support and staying active. It's helpful to focus on the benefits, such as eliminating the disease site and no longer spending long hours in the bathroom.

- To help control inflammation, some have found success with curcumin or turmeric. Daily consumption of organic turmeric lattes or curcumin capsules has helped reduce inflammation, bloody discharge, and even skin sores around the stoma. Some have noted improved lab results, such as lower C-reactive protein levels, when using curcumin.

- Recovery timelines can vary. Some people report a hospital stay of 4-5 days, returning to limited work the following week, and engaging in light activities like fence building by the third week. Others have found that issues settle completely by 6-8 weeks.

- Support resources are available, such as the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) Conference, which is a great place to find information and connect with a community.

- Many long-term survivors, ranging from 2 to 39 years post-operation, report living full and active lives. They encourage reaching out for support whenever needed.