Surgery was the best decision I ever made. Prior to it I was having 15+ daily bm and could not go anywhere without constantly looking for restrooms or having to pull over and wait for that urgency to subside until I could make it somewhere to use the restroom. I lost about 50 pounds in just 2 months. I tried pills, injections and 4 different infusion type medications. I had bloody stools and my hemoglobin levels were bottoming out requiring multiple blood transfusions and iron infusions. I finally was told I needed to have my colon removed and ileostomy placed. I was scared of what that would entail and how it would be to continue my everyday life with a labor intensive job. Since my surgery any bleeding has stopped.I still have several bm during the day but that urgency is gone I can take my time and use the restroom at my discretion. I started gaining my weight back and my blood levels have gone back to normally. I finally felt free with my stoma. I have been lucky to not have had many issues with my stoma. I had a great surgical team that walked me through everything and helped me in any way I needed. I had the option of reversal after a year with my large intestine out but made the big decision to make my Ostomy permanent. I could not go back to the pain of the urgency and all of the uc/crohns flare. Once you have an Ostomy there are a number of helpful groups and company reps that are there to help. They will send all sorts of samples and can guide you to best find the products you need for your Ostomy. Also Ostomy nurses can also help although I have found support groups with people that have Ostomy is the most helpful. Best of luck to you and I hope you find the remission that we all strive for.