Yes, it's been an interesting experience, for sure! I'm 66 yrs old and had issues very early in life, which prompted the surveillance. I had 147 polyps (all varieties) by the end of it all (15 of which were found in the areas that they couldn't surveille for 2 years because even an endoscope couldn't reach the ascending and cecum.) I had robotic laparoscopic so it was an easy recovery. (Walking a mile and driving within a week). I don't have a colectomy bag; my rectum is now attached to my small intestine. Modern medicine!
My eating has definitely changed since the surgery. I have good days and bad with BMs. I'm experimenting with what works (and doesn't). It's not always a clear correlation which is frustrating. Sometimes, I just go for it because it's unpredictable anyway!! Introducing fiber more and more, as instructed by my docs.
A note on genetics: I didn't have any relatives that had colon cancer. There are genetic disorders that run in a autosomal recessive pattern. (Both parents are carriers of the variant and then each child has 25% chance of getting both.)
I was the lucky one!!! Seriously, I do feel lucky because I sought help early in life due to digestive issues. My doctors say that had I not persisted with the colonoscopies over the years, I wouldn't have made it to a healthy 66 years old! Colonoscopies just became a part of my annual schedule. My point is that family history doesn't always tell the whole story. Stay vigilant. I continue to be with my annual upper endoscopy, thyroid ultrasounds (I've had solid polyps for years; they just don't change so no biopsy yet) and now a rectal exam instead of a colonoscopy.
Sorry about the long response... I get going on the subject!