I just wanted to say that my late husband went through an emergency total colectomy at the age of 70. He had lung cancer and apparently the chemo he received was killing off his colon resulting in sepsis. Fortunately the surgeon (who looked to me as if he was 12 years old) in the hospital that evening was the chief of trauma surgery and after a lengthy procedure (and I was told that due to my husband’s cardiac issues the surgery was high-risk) he saved his life. It took a lot of adjustments to find the right apparatus - and luckily there was a wound care center and ostomy specialist to help with that - but we eventually got it down to a science. And I say we because due to my husband’s initially weak condition I had to help a lot. Sadly his cancer took him two years later but he adjusted to the ostomy quite well all things considered and I hope that you continue to be in good health.

I’m facing the same (Total Colectomy) and not sure what to expect. Will I be able to swim anymore, for how long? Have you had success with this?
And as far as eating/bag management how often does it have to be emptied? I’m wondering how to stay hydrated since I know waters absorbed by large intestine which I won’t have anymore? Seems like getting nutrients will be a challenge as well. I’m worried I will have fractures as vitamin D is absorbed by large intestines which I won’t have anymore. How do you get those fat soluble vitamins? I feel like like this will be the beginning of many more problems ahead! So scary!