Emma, the rectal discharge continued until I had the pouch removed . There was a period of time right after disconnection where it got quite severe - I couldn't even make it to the bathroom in time. It did lighten up just a bit as time went by, but it never stopped. I found it helpful to keep gauze in that area 24/7 (although it needed to be changed every time I peed), along with wearing a pad. There is currently no discharge anymore of any kind since the pouch removal - not from the pouch, not from the fistulas.