Sorry that I took so long to update everyone, I tend to get really preoccupied, but thing are going pretty good. It has been a painful recovery, literally just in the anal canal, but things are improving. I never had pain with the UC so that has been hard. My nights are still tough, I get up a couple of times, but the days are soooo much better. I went snowboarding today, all day without going to the bathroom! I went at 8am then at 3:30. I never could have done that, the ride home was annoying, though, because once I go, I go about 4 times over the next three hours. So the ride home I basically felt like anyone who holds there stool too long, like it was about to come out, but I know it won't which is nice. Does not feel good though. I am hoping that gets better. I pass tons of gas, too much, so I think I have to make some diet adjustments to see if I can help that. but I can pass gas! feels good sometimes, except when I am trying to sleep. I think I have been battling a fissure hence the pain by the end of the night after going. the burn or itch can be excruciating but I think its getting better. My surgery was smooth and I had no complications. I never even took pain meds out of the hospital. I loved the bag! Any frustration I have is actually because I compare it to how I felt with the bag, so much freedom. I did get really weak after that first surgery, but once I started immodium I was fine. Yes it can be gross, but after UC, I loved it. Sounds weird, I know, but I almost didn't want to go through with the second step. Glad I did though. Still not perfect but My jpouch is doing good. Need to get my night tome frequency down. if any one has questions I will try to help out.

Researching surgery options and would love to hear your j-pouch story.  Everything I read has me leaning towards the perm ileo...would you go back to the bag if you could?  Is the j-pouch better?  I hear nightmare stories about the j-pouch with regard to complications, butt burn, chronic pouchitis, going 5-8 times a day and even at night, etc...trying to make an educated decision before I pick a surgery that is so "final" if I pick the perm ileo.  Any insight would be great!

Thanks!