Ostomy support groups are a great way to educate yourself about how to live a full and meaningful life with your new ostomy. They’re also a great place to pick up tips and tricks on pouching techniques, how to avoid post-op complications, what type of diet may work for you, and much more!
Support groups are also a great way to form a community and decrease the feelings of being alone with you diagnosis and/or new ostomy. It is nice to feel understood and be able to relate to the stories being shared. Many people form life long friendships while attending support groups.
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) is a national network for bowel and urinary diversion support groups in the United States. Its goal is to provide a nonprofit association that will serve to unify and strengthen its member support groups, which are organized for the benefit of people who have, or will have intestinal or urinary diversions and their caregivers.
Web: www.ostomy.org
Phone: 800.826.0826
Find Ostomy Support Groups in Your Area…
Click here for the UOAA List of Affiliated Support Groups
On www.ostomy.org, you can locate the UOAA support group closest to you. If you do not see in the following list a support group that is close to your location, please contact the UOAA office at 800.826.0826
For more information, see related ostomy support articles and ostomy resources here:
- What to Expect at an Ostomy Support Group
- Coping After Ostomy Surgery
- Ostomy Misconceptions | New Ostomates
- Telling Someone You Have an Ostomy
- 10 Things I’ve Done Since Having Ostomy Surgery
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