Hi - I have had an end ileostomy and a loop, and for me it was night and day. The end was much better and the stoma was further from the skin. I am getting ready for the take down, and have not had a J Pouch go live yet, so my comments may not be super helpful. Nonetheless, I have done a bunch of research and it looks like if the J Pouch sadly fails - going to an end ileostomy of very often successful and easier to manage than a loop. Good luck.