A few days after my takedown surgery I experience similar as yourself, felt like trying to pass a golf ball  At the time my surgeon claimed it was butt burn and because I had an ileostomy for 9 years, my skin won't be accustomed to it.
  I sought relief by applying ilex  Protectant paste to the inside of the sphincter, which really worked.

Then it was suggested I had tiny tears (splits in the skin) of the anal cuff/sphincter, often referred to a fissures.
  During a BM bile acid passes over the fissures causing an excruciating pain and created the sensation to push and strain, yet there was nothing more to evacuate.

I still experience the fissure from time to time, which I keep under control by applying the ilex paste; I've even pin pointed the area within where it tends to occur.

Some weeks after, I discovered that during takedown surgery I was dilated, so maybe the initial golf ball sensation I experinced was due to tears created during the stretching process.

strange posted:

A few days after my takedown surgery I experience similar as yourself, felt like trying to pass a golf ball  At the time my surgeon claimed it was butt burn and because I had an ileostomy for 9 years my skin won't be accustomed to it.
  I sought relief by applying ilex  Protectant paste to the inside of the sphincter, which really worked.

Then it was suggested I had tiny tears (splits in the skin) of the anal cuff/sphincter, often referred to a fissures.
  During a BM bile acid passes over the fissures causing an excruciating pain and created the sensation to push and strain, yet there was nothing more to evacuate.

I still experience the fissure from time to time, which I keep under control by applying the ilex paste; I've even pin pointed the area within where it tends to occur.

Some weeks after, I discovered that during takedown surgery I was dilated, so maybe the initial golf ball sensation I experinced was due to tears created during the stretching process.

Thanks a lot for your message. This is exactly the case now for me. Could you please let me know when this got okay, that is, how many months after the takedown? Thank you again.

It only lasted a day or so whilst still in hospital and just after my takedown surgery.

Its not occured for ages now, in fact, quite a few years.

When It was occurring from time to time, I applied the ilex paste as described and by the time of my next BM all pain, irritation or discomfort had gone.

Thanks a lot.