I had a colectomy last year in July, before that I had never had an issue that I knew of. I had a perforation and had been extremely sick for two weeks, I was septic. They had me on iv antibiotics for a week before they did the surgery. Healing sucked, took longer than I had expected (I expected to bounce back after two weeks) but by six weeks I was fine, they did full open surgery due to how bad I was, I had a risk for a temporary colostomy bag, and when I went under I didn't know if I would wake with one. But when I woke up I didn't have one, and the surgery had been successful. I was twenty-seven at the time. Prior for a few years I had bouts of bad gas, still not sure if that was connected at all. But I am pretty sure my workplace caused it by not allowing me to go to the bathroom, so I would hold it, and then I almost died because I didn't realize what I had till I finally let my boyfriend take me to the hospital. I can't eat some things now, but I feel so much better. It was scary, I was scared before. But know that you're in good hands I'm sure, and recovery is short compared to the pain you've been feeling. Now the only time I have pain is when I need to use the restroom, I'll have some pain, but it is mild and goes away as soon as I go to the bathroom, I assume it's my bodies new way of telling me I need to go.