@darin Welcome to Mayo Connect,

I am sorry to hear of your longstanding problem with colitis. I can understand your concern regarding surgery.

We do have a discussion group on Connect that deals with ostomies I would encourage you to read those posts. Here is the link to those discussions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ostomy-adapting-to-life-after-colostomy-ileostomy-or-urostomy/

If surgery seems to be your only option, will you be getting a second opinion?