I forgot to explain that I originally planned to get a j-pouch. But after considering things I went with an end (permanent) ileostomy instead.

-- I had pancolitis with inflammation and ulcers all the way through including the sigmoid. So I figured there was at least a small risk of colon cancer in the pouch remnants.

-- More importantly, pouchitis is common and typically treated with an antibiotic, often Cipro. The CR surgeon didn't think that was such a big deal, until I explained I am effectively allergic to Cipro and Flagyl + would be concerned about an antibiotic triggering recurrent cdiff (less likely but still possible after removal of the colon)

-- But most important was a quality of life issue. The CR surgeon said I would have to be prepared to have 6 - 10 movements / day + without a sphincter muscle it would be very hard to control. I couldn't take going back to that. With an ileostomy I may empty the bag as much as 6 - 8 times a day. But it is at my convenience.

The surgeon offered to do a partial surgery that would leave me the option to change my mind and go with a j-pouch, but if I decided to stay with the ileostomy he would go back in with a second surgery to clean things up.

So a one shot end ileostomy it was.