It is a big decision I put it off a long time and shouldn't have. But this is my personal story. Everyone is different. That's for sure.
One small thing I do advise is that if you do get a stoma make sure your surgeon knows and that you want a long stoma. Mine understood this and gave me a perfect one.
I didn't think so at first. I couldn't look. Now it's part of me but it took time to get used to it. Like anything.
Your surgeon can leave enough to ty a pouch later. Even leaving your rear end intact. Mine did. But I'm not going through it again. But I have the option.
Richard