I was 19 when I had a total colectomy with a temporary ileostomy for 6 months and then a Reversal to a j pouch. I am now 43 and am just now at a point of loosing the j pouch to an ileostomy. I had thousands of polyps and did not want to take a chance of having cancer as I was told at that time in 1994 that there would be a high chance of cancer If I did not have the colectomy. I was able to work day care for my cousin after about 2 months as my recovery process was rough. I ended up with a total hospital stay of about 3 weeks but my system was not “waking up” well. So I was in hospital for two weeks then went home got dehydrated and went back for another week. I am not gonna sugar coat since I was so young I went into it so lighthearted but it really is a major surgery and hard on the system and about took me out because it was more than I thought it would be. But once I got past those three weeks I began to mend and get my strength back. And then it was just the issue of dealing with the issues of the temporary ileostomy for the 6 months. Once I got the j pouch I loved my life once I adjusted to what to eat and not eat and gain control of the frequency. Not sure if any of this helps.