Asked why he became a doctor, Dr. Sean Maroney explained that it had a lot to do with his brother, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when he was young. “My brother was very sick at that time and spent a lot of time in the hospital. I had the opportunity to meet his surgeon and I saw how physicians can make such a difference helping people,” he explains. “Although my brother was very ill, he got better very quickly after surgery. That experience helped solidify my decision to go to medical school and become a surgeon.”

Dr. Maroney is a general surgeon with fellowship training in colorectal surgery. He treats a wide range of problems including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rectal cancer, colon cancer, anal and rectal issues such as hemorrhoids, fistulas and fissures, fecal incontinence, defecation problems, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Dr. Maroney performs a number of procedures to help patients including colectomy, proctectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, sphincteroplasty, parastomal hernia repair, ostomy revision and colonoscopy.

In addition, Dr. Maroney has been trained in the da Vinci surgical system, a type of robotic surgery, which allows a faster recovery time for patients. He also performs trans-anal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS). “Using TAMIS, I can take out a cancer or polyp in the colon without any abdominal incisions, which patients really appreciate,” he explains. “In addition, if we can catch a cancer early, most of the time, patients will not need chemotherapy or radiation and can move on with their lives relatively quickly after colon surgery. If I can cure someone’s cancer, that is one of the things that makes me happy to go to work each day.”

In his practice, Dr. Maroney believes strongly in treating the whole person, not just the illness. “From the first time I meet a patient and diagnose their problem, I try to think of what options there are for both surgical and non-surgical treatment. I always strive to build a long-term relationship with my patients and let them know all of their treatment options.”

Dr. Maroney says he has been encouraged by the new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. “Fortunately, there are new medications that have helped many people avoid surgery. However, in some people with IBD, the medication fails or they have an obstruction or stricture, and they will need surgery. The good news is that even if someone needs to have their colon removed we can often preserve sphincter function by performing a procedure known as a J-pouch, which often works very well to help avoid a permanent stoma.”

When he is not busy with patients, Dr. Maroney enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He likes to spend weekends outdoors, including activities such as hiking, camping, going to the beach, as well as exploring new places in New Hampshire, Vermont, Boston, Rhode Island and New York State.