@hotrodder Rectal stump removal (or proctectomy), removes the rectum, so there isn't anything left to create mucous. I'm not sure if they would do it otherwise, because you are right, where would the mucous go?

I had my j-pouch excised back in 2002 and part of that was removing the rectal muscles and closing the anus. As far as I can tell, I still have anal sphincter muscles, because I can clench them. The surgeon wanted to do the rectal removal as a separate surgery, but I didn't want to have ongoing issues with the remnant because that's where all the disease was (anal abscesses, fissure and fistula).

Recovery was uncomfortable for me. It took about 8 weeks before I returned to work, because I had a desk job and had to be able to sit all day. But long term, I haven't had any problem sitting in a car/plane for long periods of time.

There seems to be some variations on rectal stump removal. Sometimes the anal sphincter is removed, sometimes not. It appears that they preserve it if they can, but since this is often done for rectal cancer and anal cancer, they can't always do that.

I think it's a good conversation to have with your surgeon, especially about any of the complications post surgery.

Have you talked with a surgeon yet?