Surgery

Ochsner surgeons are skilled in minimally invasive surgical techniques and can handle the most complex cases.

Surgical procedures performed at our facilities include:

• Abdominal surgery
• Bariatric surgery
• Breast surgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Colon and rectal surgery
• Emergency surgery
• Endocrine surgery
• Esophageal surgery
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Fetal surgery for spina bifida
• Gall bladder removal and hernia repair
• Gastrointestinal surgery 
• Gynecologic robotic surgery
• Heart transplants
• Hip replacement surgery
• Joint replacement
• Kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants
• Knee replacement surgery
• Liver surgery
• Liver transplants
• Lung transplant
• Male voiding dysfunction and reconstruction surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic trauma surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Refractive and laser surgery
• Retina and vitreous surgery
• Robotic and minimally invasive surgery
• Skull base surgery
• Stomach and bowel surgery
• Surgical breast reconstruction
• Surgical oncology
• Thoracic surgery
• Vascular and endovascular surgery

General surgery can treat a wide variety of medical conditions, from acute injuries to serious illnesses to chronic health problems. Many of the typical conditions we treat include:

• Abdominal wall hernias
• Achalasia: A disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into the stomach
• Appendicitis
• Breast cancer
• Burns
• Cancer
• Cysts, lipomas and other benign growths and tumors
• Enterocutaneous fistula: An atypical connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin
• Esophageal disorders
• Gallbladder disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic disease
• Skin cancer
• Thyroid and parathyroid disease
• Trauma
• Vascular disease

Ochsner general surgeons also work with surgeons and physicians in other surgical specialties to treat many types of complex conditions.

General surgery at Ochsner offers the resources and the capabilities that smaller healthcare facilities do not have. Our highly trained physicians and staff use leading-edge technology to perform complex surgeries, including:

• Arteriovenous fistula repair
• Cholecystectomy: Gallbladder removal
• Esophagogastric fundoplasty: Minimally invasive surgery to treat GERD
• Hernia repair
• Lumpectomy and mastectomy
• Minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures
• Port placement
• Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): A procedure that treats certain swallowing disorders
• Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion
• Robotic surgery
• Whipple procedure: A complex surgery to treat pancreas and bile duct disorders

We perform outpatient and inpatient surgeries. We also have an intensive care unit surgical suite for the most critical cases, as well as a minimally invasive minor procedure room.

U.S. News & World Report has repeatedly awarded Ochsner high marks for its surgical specialties.

Ochsner was also named “High Performing” for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, colon cancer surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement, lung cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, transcatheter aortic valve replacement and uterine cancer surgery.

The pediatric surgical department at Ochsner Hospital for Children was also recognized for its heart surgery and gastroenterology surgery programs.

Additionally, Healthgrades has named Ochsner one of America’s “50 Best Hospitals” for vascular surgery and one of America’s “100 Best Hospitals” for joint replacement and prostate surgery.

Prehabilitation is when clinicians help a patient get stronger and healthier before surgery or beginning a treatment plan. Generally, the more fit and active you are going into a surgical procedure or treatment, the more likely you are to retain a higher level of function after. It's important to know and address any functional deficits before your operation. The team at Ochsner is here to help patients optimize their surgical outcomes and maintain a desired level of quality of life and well-being.

After completing a brief questionnaire to assess a patient's needs, prehabilitation interventions will be tailored based on the assessment. Interventions such as the following have evidence-based research showing improved surgical outcomes.

• Physical therapy: Increase strength, balance and endurance
• Mental health: Review coping mechanisms and stress-reduction strategies
• Blood sugar: Controlling blood sugar before, during and after surgery will help you heal better
• Tools to help your caregiver learn how to manage confusion should it occur
• Nutrition support: Optimize your weight and increase overall protein intake
• Smoking cessation: Reduce complications associated with tobacco use

1. Initial consultation: Our program starts with a thorough consultation and assessment by our team of specialists. We'll evaluate your current health, lifestyle and any specific goals you have.
2. Tailored plan creation: Based on your assessment, we create a personalized plan that addresses your unique needs, targeting areas like strength, flexibility, posture and joint mobility.
3. Ongoing support: We offer continuous support throughout your prehabilitation journey, including check-ins, educational tools and virtual or in-person guidance.
4. Reassessment and adjustments: Regular follow-up sessions ensure that your progress is on track and any necessary adjustments to your plan are made for optimal results.

In general, there are four classifications, or categories of surgery. Each may impact how quickly your surgery is scheduled or performed. The categories are:

• Emergency or immediate surgery. This type of surgery is performed as quickly as possible, when every second matters to save a life, limb or organ. An emergency surgery might be performed after a heart attack, stroke or traumatic brain injury.
• Urgent surgery. This kind of surgery is performed within hours, or possibly days, of the onset of problems. Urgent surgery might be performed after you break a bone or have an abdominal injury.
• Expedited or non-urgent surgery. This surgery may happen within days or weeks after your doctor recommends surgery. This type of surgery includes cancer surgery and surgical procedures for orthopedic injuries.
• Elective surgery. These surgeries may be planned months in advance. Some may be medically necessary, such as gallbladder removal or joint replacement, while other procedures may be purely elective, such as cosmetic plastic surgery.

The length of the program depends on your needs; however, the program is generally 4 to 6 weeks.

Insurance coverage may vary depending on your policy and location. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider for more details.

General surgery is a medical specialty that treats both sudden and ongoing conditions. Surgery may be performed to remove soft tissue, such as a tumor, or it may repair diseased organs or broken bones.

Ochsner general surgeons have been trained to provide expert care, including preoperative and postoperative supervision. ur general surgeons are trained to handle emergency situations where quick intervention may be necessary to save a surgical patient’s life.

A general surgeon performs surgeries to treat injuries, illnesses or conditions in different parts of the body.

You might be referred if you need surgery for something like an injury, infection, or a condition that can’t be treated with medicine alone.

An example is removing your appendix if it’s infected (appendectomy).

A hernia happens when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. That weakness can be present at birth or develop over time from strain, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation, pregnancy or aging. In many cases, it is a mix of muscle weakness and pressure.

How serious a hernia is depends on its size, location and symptoms. Some hernias stay mild for a time, but others get bigger and can cause pain or lead to serious problems if tissue becomes trapped or loses blood flow. If you have sudden severe pain, nausea, vomiting or a bulge that will not go back in, you need prompt medical care.

Yes, most people can live normally without a gallbladder. Your liver still makes bile to help digest food, but instead of being stored in the gallbladder, bile flows straight into the small intestine. Some people notice loose stools or trouble with fatty foods at first, but this often improves with time.

When your gallbladder is removed, bile no longer collects there between meals. Instead, it moves directly from the liver into your digestive tract. Most people recover well and return to normal routines, though some have temporary bloating, diarrhea or changes in digestion as the body adjusts.

Signs you need gallbladder removal often include repeated pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, especially after eating, along with nausea, vomiting, bloating or indigestion. Gallbladder removal is more likely when gallstones cause ongoing symptoms, infection or inflammation. If pain is severe or comes with fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or vomiting that does not stop, you should seek medical attention promptly.