Has anyone put a cat through a colonectomy? How hard was it on the kitty? On you?

I had a cat who had megacolon 20 years ago, when this surgery was new and experimental. My only regret what that I didn't have it done sooner! And since then, I have had friends who had the surgery for their cats, and only in one case was their a bad outcome (cat died of the infection - but the vet had never done that surgery before - poor choice of vets!). The vet needs to be experienced in the surgery, as there is high risk of infection. The cat does get a largish incision, so the healing period is extended. Within a week or so, my cat (as well as the more recent surgeries I know of) was feeling much better. Initially she was confined to one room with her food and litter box, but that was the only "special" accommodations we had to make for her. They do require careful monitoring to make sure they are eating and pooping, and that there is no infection setting in. Other than that, my cat was feeling great that we no longer had the constipation issues and frequent enemas. She was older when she had the surgery, but lived several happy years after!