Wow, never thought I'd see a forum for this condition ,looking forward to reading experiences of results. I had surgery in 1984 In Phila. at U of Pa. Spent close to 2 1/2 months in the hospital .to figure out what to do for the condition and to get a little stronger for surgery, for a few reasons. I couldnt wait to get the hell out of the hospital, The doctors or surgeons gave me 3 choices colostomy bag, s pouch with a stoma out the waist line and empty the pouch externally, or reconnect with illeo anal pull thru. I elected for the last under advise form one of my teams docs. She told me if my sphincter muscle would react fast to bowel movements i was golden,. I didnt even consider continence then. I wasnt an easy transition as many know, and is still a challenge still today, I have learned a lot during this journey but I learned to take the good with the bad,I'm know 64 4 grown children and a wife that has put up with my shit and baggage.
For everyone here KEEP THE FAITH count your blessings 
Original Post