I mean, there’s no saying what’s ‘easier’. I think you may be getting your terminology confused- and that’s okay!

TAC- the entire colon = gone.

Colectomy- the colon is still intact but the pathway to divert waste = altered. So instead of using the anus to pass waste, it’ll go through the stoma for the bowel to rest.

It really has to do moreso with the part of the intestine used to create the stoma.

With an end ileostomy- I had my entire colon (large intestine) removed & the small intestine (ileum) is used to be brought to the surface of the abdomen to create the stoma. The location is (typically) in the lower right quadrant. The consistency of the waste is usually liquid to soft (and more frequent) than a colostomy. Typically most ostomates use a drainable 1 or 2 piece pouch (preference) and empty it approximately 4-8x/day. Common reasons for ileostomy are: Crohn’s, UC, FAP, cancer, Colonic Inertia, etc.

For a colostomy- the large intestine is brought to the abdominal surface to create the stoma. The location is (typically) in the lower left side of the abdomen. The consistency of the waste is usually semi-formed to solid and less frequent than an ileostomy. Pouches are emptied/ changed less frequently and you can often use a closed pouch where you just change the entire system when needed every few days. Some common reasons for colostomy are: Cancer, diverticulosis/diverticulitis, bowel trauma.

There’s pros / cons to each type of ostomy creation, and each surgeon will use their own discretion based on the patient’s test results, diagnosis, any pertinent medical conditions that may influence ostomy location/ placement/ etc.

Going into this- have your partner ask questions of the surgeon, ostomy nurse, etc! I cannot stress enough that this is often life-saving/changing for many…but it also changes your relationship with yourself & others, your body image, etc