Are you sitting comfortably? – proctectomy surgery

08 April, 2026

By Jo Prance

In the last edition of Tidings (Winter 2025), we published the first instalment of our new series ‘Jo’s Diary’, following our Fitness Guru, Jo Prance, as she navigates life before and after proctectomy surgery. In this second instalment, Jo details her experience of recovery in the immediate weeks following her operation.

It’s been 15 weeks since my robotic assisted proctectomy, and as 2026 begins, I am emerging out of recovery and getting life back on track.

Whilst the surgery went well and luckily my stoma didn’t need revising, my recovery has been far from straightforward.

I had a severe reaction to the surgical adhesive used to seal the robotic port incisions on my abdomen, which triggered an extensive and extremely painful eczema flare. My skin felt as though it was burning. Although the reaction gradually improved over the following weeks with a strong course of topical and oral steroids, it was an intensely unpleasant and challenging few weeks. Seven days post-operation, I was forced to carefully remove the adhesive from already raw and inflamed skin to stop the reaction from worsening.

As my skin began to recover, an internal stitch in the perineal wound partially surfaced. Unfortunately, this stitch could not be removed without risking damage to the wound, so I had to wait for it to slowly reabsorb. This was painful and significantly delayed my ability to sit comfortably or return to driving, which I was unable to do until 11 weeks post-surgery.

This leads me to a frequently discussed topic: What type of cushion is best to use after surgery?

I was advised by my stoma care team to use a donut cushion, although I know many other ostomates are advised against them in favour of alternatives such as valley (which can be expensive) or ridge cushions (I struggled to find a ridge cushion). When I began researching suitable options, I found that the quality and range of so-called ‘orthopaedic’ cushions varied enormously. I ordered three different cushions before finding one that felt right for me. Many were either too bulky, poorly filled, or simply uncomfortable to sit on – and that was before I had even undergone surgery!

I experimented with the donut cushion positioned with the opening vertically but found that placing it horizontally worked better and placed less pressure on the perineal wound. I also had a coccyx cushion from a previous surgery, which I found more comfortable to use as healing progressed, particularly when I returned to driving. I now take this cushion with me when I’m out and about if I know I’ll be sitting on hard surfaces with little cushioning.

I received mixed advice about what to expect in terms of sitting post-operatively. One ostomate told me she was required to sit on a valley cushion for 30 minutes at a time while in hospital. When I raised this with my stoma nurse, she reassured me that no one should make me sit unless I felt ready, and that perching was a better approach initially.

During my hospital stay, I didn’t spend any time sitting; instead, I reclined on my side at various angles. When moving in bed, I found a knee cushion particularly helpful, as it made it easier to manoeuvre my legs from side to side. Post-operatively, I experienced gas pain in my abdomen and shoulders, something I was already familiar with from previous surgeries, but I knew that movement helped to disperse it. I also found the knee cushion invaluable when sleeping on my side, as it kept my knees aligned and reduced strain on the perineal wound. I still use this cushion occasionally when my scar feels sore, although I’m pleased to say this is becoming less frequent.

My dermatologist recommended using Vaseline on my scars, and I’ve found it particularly helpful to apply it before exercising now that I’ve returned to higher levels of activity, as it helps prevent the perineal scar from becoming sore.

Post-operatively, once my catheter was removed, I began taking short walks around the ward. I found that the pain and pulling sensations across my abdomen and pelvis were more limiting than the perineal wound itself, which was far less sore than I had anticipated and a welcome surprise, although I recognise that everyone’s experience is different.

Once I was back at home, I began with three short walks a day and gradually increased the distance. I can now walk comfortably for a couple of hours at a time. Walking became the foundation of my recovery, especially as delays in wound healing meant I had to let go of my original hope of returning to the pool sooner.

Instead of swimming competitively in January, I’ve shifted my focus to racing in March. Over the [HM2.1]past three weeks, I’ve been back in the pool, and I am steadily rebuilding my fitness. More recently, I’ve reintroduced resistance training, with an increasing emphasis on core work as my strength continues to return.

The fatigue from this surgery still catches me off guard at times, and I have to remind myself that, in the bigger picture, it is still early days. From speaking with other ostomates who have undergone the same surgery, four to six months is commonly cited as the timeframe for beginning to feel back to normal. Even so, I can clearly see the difference between how I feel now compared to a month ago, particularly in terms of improved energy levels.

My stoma, ‘Anemone’, who previously behaved in a predictable way, has yet to settle into any kind of routine. I’m hopeful that in time this will improve.

I feel a deep sense of relief now that my surgery is behind me and I no longer have to worry about mucus. Even more encouraging, my rectal spasms have improved, something which remained an unknown ahead of this surgery, but I am truly grateful for this positive outcome.

In the months ahead, I’m looking forward to regaining my strength and fitness, and I’m excited to start making plans and embracing what 2026 has in store.

*A proctectomy is a surgery to remove all or part of the rectum. It is often playfully referred to as a ‘Barbie’ or ‘Ken butt’ within the stoma community.

Support From Colostomy UK

We offer a wide range of support for people living with a colostomy, including our free Stoma Helpline, live chat support, and opportunities to connect with others through local and online groups. We also provide trusted information and resources to offer practical advice, reassurance, and the confidence to live well with a stoma: colostomyuk.org/support