Jamie, I searched "vitamin D for recovery after surgery" and a bunch of articles come up. Apparently D3, which is what I take, does prevent/limit infection and promotes quicker healing. (D3 is utilized by the body better than D2.) I was healthy going into surgery but I'm a believer that D3 has amazing benefits.
If your surgery is soon, maybe ask doc about taking 5000 IU daily or 50,000 units several times a week to boost your level, depending on your current D level. Below 30 is too low. The official guidelines say 800 iu daily, but these are way, way too low, as they are discovering. Run it by your doc. Mine have all approved without a word of negativity.
A couple more details...When my J-pouch was removed, the surgeon took the inner set of spincter muscles with it but left the outer spincters. Have had no difficulties. I was asked to use the waffle cushion to sit on for about 20 min. and then get up to walk for awhile, even just around the house and to keep alternating sitting and walking for the first couple of weeks. I didn't have to do this, however, because it was healing so well. They didn't want me sitting on anything that would cause the butt cheeks to spread apart, thereby pulling on the stitches.
If I think of other stuff, I'll let you know. Please let us know when you are having the surgery so we can keep you in our thoughts.
Rose