Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.

WHAT IS AN OSTOMY?

An Ostomy is a surgical construction of an artificial opening through the abdominal wall for the expulsion of waste material after digestion. Common types of ostomy surgeries include:

Bowel Diversions:

• Colostomy – a portion of the large intestine (colon) is removed or bypassed; requires an external pouch.
•    Ileostomy – the large intestine is removed or bypassed; requires an external pouch.
•    Continent Ileostomy  – an internal pouch is constructed from a section of the small intestine, to be evacuated through the abdominal wall.
•    Ileoanal Reservoir – a pelvic pouch is constructed from the small intestine and attached to the anus for evacuation.

Bladder Diversions:

•    Urostomy – the bladder is removed or bypassed; requires an external pouch.
•    Continent Urostomy – the bladder is removed or bypassed; an internal conduit is constructed from the small or large intestine to be evacuated through the abdominal wall.

Ostomy Visitors

MMOA provides

• Trained volunteer visitor-counselors to visit patients with, or preparing for, ostomies. Every effort is made to match a visitor to the patient by type of surgery, sex, age, and interests.

Nothing is more calming than to talk to a real-life ostomate.

There is no better medicine than a short, pleasant visit from someone who has “been there and done that.” and once you are comfortable in having “been there and done that,” perhaps you can offer a helping hand to someone who is facing a similar situation.

What each of us has given is always returned 110%.

WHO WE ARE ...

Maryland Metro Ostomy Association (MMOA) has distinguished itself over the past 34 years as one of the premier ostomy support groups  in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Established in August 1974, by our Founder and President Emeritus, Horace Saunders, MMOA's sole focus and purpose has been to assist, educate, and provide support to all persons who may require or who have undergone conventional Ostomy surgery resulting in a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, and/or alternate diversionary procedures.

MMOA's Medical Advisory Board is comprised of leading surgeons, medical doctors and WOCN's (Wound and Ostomy Continent Nurses) who help and advise our organization's leaders and members.