Hey. I`m 18 and had a total colectomy in December 2009. I also was using an irrigation kit with a cecostomy tube prior to the surgery. To be honest the surgery was the best decision i have made. Although it was painful i now feel like a different person and i have my social life back. The doctors told me it takes up to about a year to get back to your normal self, but i felt back to normal after about 5 months. I returned to school after about 3 months and returned to dance and sports after about 6. If you have any questions feel free to ask :)