Patient Resources

Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans (Jeff Hwy)  

Located at: 1514 Jefferson Highway  New Orleans, LA 70121  

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504-842-4070 

The parking garage is free for all of our patients and visitors.  When you pull up to the parking garage, you will have to get a ticket.  You will need to scan the ticket to exit the parking garage when you leave.  If you are at Ochsner for 6 hours or more, you will need to have the ticket validated.   

Multidisciplinary Endocrine Clinic 

The endocrinology department is loocated on the 6th floor in the Clinic Tower. 

If you enter the main hospital from the River Road entrance or from the 1st floor of the parking garage, you’ll enter into the atrium.  Walk through the atrium past the Information Desk and the PJ’s Coffee stand, and follow signs for the Clinic Elevators.  Take the Clinic Elevators to the 6th floor and check in with the endocrinology receptionist. 

If you park in the parking garage, you can take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor.  The 2nd floor is open and overlooks the atrium.  Walk up the ramp and through the Laboratory.  The Clinic Elevators are located by the Laboratory on the right.  Take the Clinic Elevators to the 6th floor and check in with the endocrinology receptionist. 

Multispecialty Surgery Clinic 

2nd Floor Atrium Tower 

The Multispecialty Surgery Clinic located on the 2nd floor in the Atrium Tower. 

If you enter the main hospital from the River Road entrance or from the 1st floor of the parking garage, you’ll enter into the atrium.  Take the escalator by the PJ’s Coffee stand and the clinic is located at the top of the escalator. 

If you park in the parking garage, you can take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor.  The 2nd floor is open and overlooks the atrium.  Walk up the ramp and take a left to follow the hall over to the top of the escalator to the Multispecialty Surgery Clinic.  

Surgery - Day of Surgery Center (DOSC) 

We are located on the 2nd floor of the hospital. You'll find our surgery center at the end of the concourse past the Laboratory and Radiology departments in the hospital. 

If you enter the main hospital from the River Road entrance or from the 1st floor of the parking garage, you’ll enter into the atrium.  Take the escalator by the PJ’s Coffee stand and the Day of Surgery Center (DOSC) is located down the concourse.  Follow signs for DOSC and you will check in at the end of the concourse in the waiting room. 

If you park in the parking garage, you can take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor.  The 2nd floor is open and overlooks the atrium.  Walk up the ramp and follow the signs for Day of Surgery Center (DOSC) which will take you down the concourse. You will check in at the end of the hall to the right in the waiting room. 

Ochsner Medical Center - Clearview 

Located at: 4430 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA 70006

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Ochsner Clearview is located at the Clearview City Center in the old Sears building, and is next to the Target in Metairie. Parking is available in an open lot in front of the Ochsner Clearview building.  

Clinic 

2nd Floor 

Park in the open parking lot in front of the Ochsner Clearview and enter through the main entrance.  The elevators are just inside the lobby to the right.  Take the elevator to the 2nd floor.  Check in at the front desk and the staff will direct you to the clinic which is located towards the back of the waiting area on the right. 

Surgery 

2nd Floor 

Enter Ochsner Clearview through the main entrance.  The elevators are just inside the lobby to the right.  Take the elevator to the 2nd floor and check in at the front desk.   

Ochsner St. Anne Hospital 

Located at: 4608 LA-1 Raceland, LA 70394 

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Clinic 

Ample parking is available near the entrance to Ochsner St. Anne.  The clinic is located in the Ochsner Specialty Health Center at St. Anne in Raceland and additional directions can be obtained at the information desk. 

Ochsner Health Center - Baptist 

Located at: 2626 Napoleon Avenue New Orleans, LA 70115 

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Surgical Services is located on the 1st floor of the Magnolia Building at 2626 Napoleon Avenue.  You will report here for your preoperative visit and surgery.  Please note that the main hospital address is 2700 Napoleon Avenue. 

Surgery 

Park in the surface lot with the palm trees located on Magnolia Street.  If there are no spaces, you can park across the street in the Magnolia Parking Garage.  Parking is free in both locations.  The entrance to Surgical Services is under the covered Patient Drop Off area in the Magnolia Building.  Check in with the staff on the 1st floor in the waiting room, and they will direct you to the 4th floor to the preoperative surgery floor where you will stay before and after your surgery. 

 Ochsner Health Center - Kenner 

Located at: 200 W Esplanade Avenue Kenner, LA 70065 

Phone: 504-464-8588  

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The thyroid gland produces hormones that influence metabolism and energy, so it’s common for patients to wonder about weight changes after thyroid surgery. While weight gain is possible, it’s unlikely to be directly related to the surgery if your thyroid hormone levels remain within the normal range and are consistent with pre-surgery levels. Your thyroid levels will be monitored after surgery to ensure you have enough hormone to support your metabolism and energy. Weight changes may instead be influenced by factors like eating habits, appetite, or activity levels.

Most patients fully recover within one to two weeks after surgery. Discomfort is common but typically subsides a few days after the procedure.

Thyroid and parathyroid surgery involves a small incision, typically about two inches or less, in the lower part of your neck. This incision will leave a permanent scar. However, scars usually fade over time. Within several months to a year, the scar often blends into the surrounding skin, becoming a soft, flat, and light-colored line that is less noticeable.

Thyroid surgery is generally low-risk, but like any surgery, it does carry some potential risks. If part of your thyroid is removed, you may need to take thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine), and if your entire thyroid is removed, this medication will be necessary. Temporary calcium supplementation or prescription vitamin D medication may also be required after surgery.

There are important nerves near the thyroid that control your vocal cords and voice pitch. Damage to these nerves, though rare, can lead to hoarseness, speech impairment, changes in voice pitch, or more serious conditions. The risk of nerve injury is very low when the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon with specialized training in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

If only part of your thyroid gland is removed, you may need thyroid hormone replacement to supplement the hormone produced by the remaining portion. However, if your entire thyroid gland is removed, you will require thyroid hormone replacement medication for the rest of your life.

Parathyroid disease occurs when the parathyroid gland produces excess parathyroid hormone (PTH), even when calcium levels are already high. This leads to elevated calcium levels in the blood. Since PTH affects the bones, kidneys, and intestines, symptoms can vary widely. However, many individuals with hyperparathyroidism or parathyroid disease experience no symptoms at all.

When symptoms do occur, they may include thinning bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis), muscle and bone pain, acid reflux (GERD), kidney stones, reduced kidney function, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, brain fog, high blood pressure, heart disease, or abnormal heart rhythms.

Parathyroid surgery is generally low-risk, but recovery may involve temporary calcium supplementation and, in some cases, prescription vitamin D medication. Most patients recover quickly, with minimal discomfort. However, there are important nerves near the parathyroid glands that control vocal cords and voice pitch. While the risk of nerve injury is very low with an experienced and specialized surgeon, potential complications could include hoarseness, speech impairment, or changes in voice pitch.

Adrenalectomy, the surgical removal of the adrenal gland with the tumor, may be recommended if the adrenal tumor is large, shows suspicious features on a CT or MRI scan, or is producing excess adrenal hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, or adrenaline.

Most patients stay in the hospital overnight following adrenal surgery and are typically ready to go home the next morning. In some cases, steroid pills may be prescribed temporarily to support the remaining adrenal gland until it resumes normal function. Full recovery from adrenal surgery may take a few weeks.

Endocrine surgery is a specialized field focused on the surgical treatment of disorders affecting the adrenal, parathyroid, and thyroid glands. Endocrine surgeons are highly trained professionals who have completed specialized fellowship training. They are skilled in providing comprehensive patient care, understanding complex endocrine diseases, and mastering advanced surgical techniques to address challenging conditions.

Hypocalcemia, or low calcium, can occur after thyroid or parathyroid surgery. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles sensation around the face, lips, hands, or feet. If you experience these symptoms, take extra calcium supplementation, such as calcium carbonate (Tums) or calcium citrate. If the symptoms persist beyond 30 minutes after taking the supplement, contact your surgeon’s office promptly.

In the first few weeks after surgery, it’s normal for the scar area to appear red or discolored, firm and hard. Scars often seem to worsen before they improve, but this is part of the healing process. Around six weeks post-surgery, the scar will begin to mature, softening and becoming less discolored. Over the following months, it will gradually fade and become less noticeable. Full maturation of the scar can take up to a year.

A scar is typically permanent, but over several months to a year, it will gradually blend with the surrounding skin and become less noticeable. Most scars soften, flatten, and fade into light-colored lines over time. Protecting the scar from direct sunlight is essential to prevent discoloration.

In some cases, scars may worsen. If a scar becomes wide, surgery can remove the old scar tissue and create a narrower line. Raised, thick and discolored scars may indicate a keloid or hypertrophic scar, which may require specialized treatment.

It’s crucial to keep scars out of direct sunlight for up to one year after surgery, as too much sun exposure can cause the scar to darken and become more noticeable compared to the surrounding skin. To protect the area, use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to 30 whenever you’re outdoors during this time. 

While it’s unclear if Vitamin E oil or other topical products speed up scar healing or reduce visibility, using them won’t cause harm. Moisturizing the scar with oil or lotion may provide some benefit. Once the skin glue naturally comes off, typically about two weeks after surgery, you can begin applying topical products and gently massaging the scar to support healing.

It’s common to feel tightness around the incision after neck surgery. Gentle range-of-motion exercises and stretches can help loosen the neck muscles. Perform stretches two to three times a day from a seated or balanced standing position. Slowly stretch in one direction at a time, supporting your neck, and hold each position for 20 to 30 seconds. Stretches should never cause pain or severe discomfort. Focus on six directions: look up at the ceiling, then down at the floor; tilt your head to the right (ear toward shoulder), then to the left; and turn your head to look over your right shoulder, then over your left.

Yes, it’s normal to develop a lump or fluid collection, known as a seroma, under the incision. This is a natural part of the healing process, and the seroma will gradually resolve over time. To help reduce swelling and inflammation, use an ice pack for 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off during the first three days after surgery.

Scar tissue massage involves gently but firmly massaging the scar with lotion or oil to soften the skin and reduce inflammation around the incision, promoting optimal healing. This technique may also help minimize the formation of hypertrophic or excessive scar tissue.

You can begin scar tissue massage about two to three weeks after surgery. Scars typically start “maturing” around six weeks post-surgery and continue to improve for up to a year.

To perform scar tissue massage, use your index and middle fingers to gently but firmly apply lotion or oil in a circular motion across the scar for about five minutes. Visualize the massage breaking up the cells that have collected at the incision site, allowing your body to reabsorb them. For best results, repeat this process two to four times a day.

Start with light pressure that isn’t painful, focusing on promoting circulation. As the incision heals and becomes less sensitive, you can apply firmer pressure to any bumps or lumps along the scar.

Scar tissue massage can be continued throughout the maturation process, which may take up to a year. Once your incision flattens and becomes less noticeable, you may no longer need to massage the scar.

You can use any topical lotion, oil, cocoa butter, skin moisturizer, or vitamin E cream. The technique of the scar tissue massage is more important than the specific product you choose.