My Colectomy was on July 7th.

You definitely need some depends for after surgery.
I have some scent free pads that I would strategically place in the Depends to protect it since they are expensive.
I was told about the Boudreaux's Butt Paste but I found it irritating and needed to get the one for sensitive skin from Amazon.
I also bought some organic makeup pads to put the Paste on and tuck to also protect the Depends and ease the discomfort of so many times in the bathroom. I use Tucks as a cleaner and sometimes to replace the butt paste.
I also use Aquaphor Advanced Therapy for irritated skin periodically instead of the paste as well.

It definitely has been a difficult month and I was told it would be two to three months to return to normal but I never even could have imagined what that meant! Wish there was better preparation and information ahead of time.