Well, in my case, the pouch removal is because literally everything else has failed. The stupid fistulas keep recurring -- and I haven't been able to minimize symptoms and live with them, unfortunately. Repeated infections, pain, not to mention constantly pooing myself, one way or another (so to speak). At this point, having had a pouch advancement which has not healed completely well (I'm mostly continent as long as I only eat white bread, rice, and bananas) combined with the development of yet another new fistula really leaves no choice. Either I continue to poo myself several times a day as well as fight constant infections and pain or the pouch comes out. Hasn't been that difficult a decision...
Gin