I don't feel like the strip is sexualized, I just don't like getting a full-body shot of anyone sitting on the toilet, in particular this person whose ambiguous perceived age is kind of focused-on by the story. It doesn't feel predatory or sexual, just uncomfortable. And then she (as I interpret it) grabs a turd instead of her phone, so I have to live with that in my brain now too.
But hey, I have zero benefit of the doubt left to give Jeph when it comes to toilet-related stuff since that truly unforgivable fetish reference during the vtubers arc, so that's probably coloring my opinion too.
To your second point: the subreddit edits are hit or miss but I overall really enjoy the squirrelclamp ones. Like you said, they bring back a nostalgic vibe for the older QC humor.