I though a lot about this question of whether or not I'd do the j-pouch surgery again. I was diagnosed with UC while pregnant with my fourth child and had my colon removed when she was only 5 weeks old. (Total time between diagnosis and colostomy about 3 1/2 months.) I had the 3 part surgery with total hook-up 5 month later.My GI told me that with surgery I'd be completely healed. That is not true. As others have said, the first year with a j-pouch is difficult. You will learn what foods work for you and what won't. I was totally unprepared for this. My largest problem was a lack of sleep because my bowel liked to be awake at night. This made life difficult raising toddlers. A couple of years ago I finally changed GI's at the recommendation of my surgeon and he put me on some great medicine that allowed me to have a lot more control of my gut and its output. I am finally able to sleep.
I give you all this detail not to discourage you, but to let you know that just like having UC, having a j-pouch is not the perfect fix. It has issues of its own that you will learn to adjust to with time and help from your GI and us. When I didn't sleep well and had bouts of pouchitis, I would have said don't do it; however, since I've gotten some medicines that have helped me, I'd say go for it. Find a good GI that you like and who is knowledgeable about j-pouches. (Unfortunately, not all are.) Choose a surgeon you trust. Go into this prepared that healing is not an instant sprint, but a marathon that will get better with time.
Hope this helps