Also, Tom -- I am 16 years out and I still don't have 'firm' output. Some are a little bit less watery, but never firm. I don't want that to discourage you, because it's no big deal for me -- in fact, I like it because when I empty I feel flushed out!!
It's something that I got used to relatively quickly and wanted to mention it to you so that you aren't looking for super firm output. You could be different, but because we no longer have a colon and that is where our waste is solidified, it's probably never going to be that firm. Your butt burn is caused by the acidity of the liquid and amount you're going (now we're talking about the 'laws of physics'
). Put creams on with analgesics in them (Calmoseptine) right before you go then clean the area well, but gently -- and then apply the cream after in addition to a good barrier cream. Applying more cream right before you go is a really helpful hint that saves me when I have BB. As I have also told you, the skin in that area will toughen up and it does get easier. But, again -- what you're eating is huge (chicken was one of my biggest culprits in the beginning. I thought that would be very safe. I realized it because of the food journal I was keeping).
