Debra Michael says a relatively simple hernia surgery has solved some seemingly unrelated health problems that have plagued her in recent years.

Several years ago, Debra learned that she had a paraesophageal hernia, a condition that occurs when part or all of an abdominal organ pushes into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm so that it is now positioned next to the esophagus.

Paraesophageal hernia is the rarer but potentially more serious of the two types of hiatal hernia. At the time, it was not causing Debra any problems.

But last year, everything changed.

“I had no energy,” says Debra, who retired in 2014 after 30 years as a hairdresser. “I couldn’t even do my housework. My chest hurt and I couldn’t breathe.”

After a thorough check by a pulmonologist (lung specialist), doctors determined that the hernia, which had gotten quite large by then, was the culprit.

In addition to chest pain and breathing difficulty, paraesophageal hernia can also cause swallowing problems and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often called acid reflux.

“When I laid down at night, even if I was propped up, I’d wake up and throw up,” Debra says. “I was having to take two over-the-counter tablets every day it was so bad. If I ate fast or ate certain foods—like spicy or greasy foods—it bothered me worse.”

Her doctor referred Debra to Dr. Stephen McAdory of Surgery Associates in Tupelo, who recommended a robotic repair of the paraoesophageal hernia and “stomach wrap.”

“Hiatal hernias and reflux can be greatly improved with surgery,” Dr. McAdory explains. “Most of the time, patients tolerate surgery well and recovery is quick. You will go home from the hospital on no antacids or reflux medications.”

Such was the case for Debra. “I woke up in the Recovery Room and I could breathe,” she says. “I could tell a difference immediately. With the robotic surgery, I wasn’t in a whole lot of pain either.”

Debra spent one night at North Mississippi Medical Center, went home the following day and has continued to reap the benefits. “My husband says I’m sleeping sounder than he has ever heard me sleep,” she says. “I’m getting my energy back—now I can walk for a distance without getting out of breath.”

Debra’s GERD is also gone. “It has completely cured my acid reflux. haven’t even had to take anything since I had the surgery,” she says. “I eat pretty much whatever I want, and I no longer have to sleep propped up. I stayed bloated before, and that’s now better too.”