Don't Delay! The Importance of Scheduling Surgeries

While it’s true that not all surgeries are emergency operations, they are still important to your health and quality of life, and in certain circumstances should not be delayed indefinitely. Have you been asked to postpone surgery for cataracts, a hernia or some other condition because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic? Then it may be time to get you back on track.

Some surgeries are typically scheduled in advance because they are not required to be done immediately for the patient to survive—but that doesn’t always mean there is no urgency to these procedures or that they are optional. Delaying these operations too long can cause certain health conditions to worsen, so having access to scheduling these operations may be important for preserving your health.

For example, a patient who is recommended to have their gallbladder removed from symptomatic gallstones might require a longer, more difficult surgery and potentially a longer recovery time if their surgery is delayed for too long. They might also be at risk for more health complications.

Consider scheduling certain time-sensitive surgeries, such as:

• Bariatric surgery
• Breast cancer surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Cyst removal
• Cystoscopy (endoscopy of the bladder)
• Gallbladder surgery
• Hernia repair
• Lung cancer surgery
• Thyroid cancer surgery

Other surgeries that could help improve quality of life—getting you back to doing the things you love—should also be considered. These include:

• Anti-reflux surgery
• Carpal tunnel surgery
• Eustachian tubes (pediatric)
• Knee surgery (meniscus tear, ACL repair)
• Shoulder surgery (rotator cuff tears, total shoulder replacement)
• Sinus surgery
• Tonsillectomy
• Total joint replacement

If you are travelling from out of town for your procedure, Ochsner can help.

Initial consults can be performed by a video chat with an Ochsner surgeon. You may also need an in-person consult prior to scheduling a surgical date. Our staff can help you determine what is right for you.

If you have an upcoming surgery at Ochsner, you will be referred to one of the pre-procedural COVID-19 testing locations to prepare your medical team for your upcoming procedure.

Patients and families traveling from out of town for surgery at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans on Jefferson Highway can stay at Brent House Hotel, conveniently located on the OMC campus. Patients recovering from orthopedic surgery can even get their physical therapy started while staying at Brent House. All prescriptions can be picked up at Ochsner Pharmacy before leaving the facility.

In addition, Ochsner Home Medical Equipment and Total Health Solutions can deliver the necessary home medical equipment needed for your recovery, such as home oxygen or wheelchairs.

Patients traveling from out of town might wonder about our visitor policy if they are bringing family members with them. You can read our latest visitor policy here.

We have enacted extra safety and screening measures for your protection, so you can feel safe and comfortable coming to Ochsner hospitals and clinics for your care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are a few of the steps we’ve taken to keep you safe. Learn more about our safety measures.

• Providing masks and temperature checks for all patients, staff and providers.
• Organizing our locations to allow for social distancing by spacing our waiting room chairs 6 feet apart and adding social distancing stickers and signage to keep patients and employees safe.
• Adding more hand sanitizer stations.
• Placing clear acrylic shields at reception areas to protect patients and staff.
• While our staff is always diligent about cleaning our facilities, we have increased the number of times a day that our staff cleans all public areas.
• Offering Mobile Check-in and Curbside Arrival at most locations.

Ready to schedule your appointment? You can send a message to your physician through MyOchsner@ochsner.org. If you don’t have an account, you can click here to register. Are you a new Ochsner patient? Call 1-866-806-4523, or visit ochsner.org/doctors to learn more about our providers.