IN Better Health: Elaine Kao, MD, Ochsner Health
Medical Condition: Endometriosis
Treatment: Laparoscopic excision surgery
FOR MOST OF HER LIFE, Erica Tricou lived with pain that few could understand. What began as severe cramping around age twelve soon became a monthly ordeal that dictated every part of her life.
“Between countless visits to the ER and specialists, misdiagnoses, and dismissal of my symptoms, it was wearing me down in every possible way— physically, emotionally, and financially,” she recalls. After years of searching, Erica finally received a diagnosis: endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue reacts to monthly hormonal cycles, leading to internal bleeding, inflammation, and scar tissue formation. The result is often intense pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and, in many cases, infertility. Affecting at least one in ten women of reproductive age, endometriosis is far from rare—but proper treatment can be difficult to find.
Erica’s first surgery, a laparoscopic ablation, confirmed the diagnosis but didn’t bring the relief she hoped for. “The ablation process can create scarring and lead to more damage,” she explains. “It was frustrating to realize that what I thought would bring me relief actually made things worse.” When her pain returned, stronger than ever, she knew she needed a different approach.
That search led her to Dr. Elaine Kao, a board-certified OB/GYN and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG). With over a decade of experience in Louisiana and Mississippi, Dr. Kao now serves as the Medical Director of the Women’s Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at Ochsner Health, where she focuses on complex gynecological conditions like endometriosis.
From their first meeting, Erica could tell this experience would be different. “I had seen about a dozen doctors before Dr. Kao, but most offered outdated information or only performed ablation surgeries,” she says. “Dr. Kao understood that excision—the complete removal of endometrial lesions—is the gold standard for treatment.”
Dr. Kao developed a personalized care plan centered on minimally invasive excision surgery, supported by a multidisciplinary recovery strategy. Her approach emphasizes not just removing the disease, but restoring patients’ quality of life. “Our goal is comprehensive care,” Dr. Kao explains. “That means advanced surgical precision combined with long-term support—physical therapy, integrative medicine, and follow-up tailored to each woman’s needs.”
The surgery was a turning point. “Since the excision, I’m finally able to function without constant pain and fatigue,” Erica says. “I feel better than I have in years.” While endometriosis can be unpredictable, her progress has brought new hope and stability. “Having this disease means I’ll never know if it will come back, but I finally have control of my life again.”
Erica’s story is a powerful reminder that expert, compassionate care can make all the difference. “Dr. Kao doesn’t just treat endometriosis—she understands it,” Erica says. “She gave me more than relief; she gave me my life back.”