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A life-altering procedure

For some people, heartburn is a mild discomfort to occasionally deal with during taco night or a stressful day at work.

 

For Christine Wolford, heartburn was ruining her life. Christine’s symptoms were much more severe than mild annoyance when she ate spicy food. It was daily pain that was brought on regardless of what she ate.

 

For years, she tried eating different types of food, different portion sizes and at different times of the day.

 

Experiment after experiment failed and usually resulted in severe pain and occasionally waking up in the middle of the night coughing and vomiting blood. She only found relief by eating one small meal daily and sleeping in a chair.

 

Eventually, she was diagnosed with a paraesophageal hernia that was so big it was compressing both of her lungs. When she heard the news, she knew she needed to see Joshua K. Moore, D.O., Fellowship- trained and Board-certified General Surgeon at the Genesis Center of Surgical Excellence. 

 

“Dr. Moore was so personable. When describing the procedure, he made the complicated seem simple. I felt safe with him as my doctor.”

 

Trusted, ongoing care 

The previous year, Christine’s husband had seen Dr. Moore for hernia surgery, which turned out to be a double blessing. While preparing for his hernia surgery, the doctors at Genesis identified a heart condition her husband had.

 

During preparations for heart surgery, her husband had a heart attack and was successfully treated with a pacemaker at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute. After recovering from heart surgery, her husband returned to Dr. Moore for hernia surgery.

 

Christine and her husband were impressed by Genesis and the care they received.

 

“Everything about my hernia procedure was wonderful,” said Christine. “Dr. Moore was so personable. When describing the procedure, he made the complicated seem simple. I felt safe with him as my doctor.”

 

Dr. Moore said the minimally invasive hernia procedure uses small incisions and pinpoint precision. This method reduces the recovery time for patients, without the need for open surgery.

 

“Christine had a severe case of heartburn that had gone untreated for too long,” said Dr. Moore. “It had caused part of her esophagus to erode. To treat her, we performed a robotic-assisted laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair with toupee fundoplication. We reduced her stomach back into her abdomen, restoring normal anatomy and then wrapped part of her stomach around the lower part of her esophagus. This reinforces the anti-reflux valve.” 

 

Return to favorite foods

After Christine’s procedure, she spent a few weeks working her way back to solid foods. About a month later, after she was released to eat what she wanted, she decided to celebrate with pizza. She had loved pizza all her life and had not been able to enjoy it in seven years.

 

After her celebratory dinner, she said the meal was delicious, but the rest of the night was even better as she didn’t have any heartburn. 


Learn more at genesishcs.org/heartburn. 

 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Christina Wolford

Heartburn was a daily nuisance for Christine Wolford. Diagnosed with a paraesophageal hernia, Christine returned to eating her favorite foods after a minimally invasive procedure without the need for open surgery. 

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Choosing Genesis: a doctor’s choice for treatment

In September 2023, Brandice Alexander, D.O., began her 13th year as a Fellowship-trained, Board-certified Trauma Surgeon at Genesis HealthCare System. 

 

Only because she followed recommended colon cancer screening guidelines when prompted by her family physician. Two days after her colonoscopy, she received a call with the biopsy results that one of the two polyps found was cancerous. 

  

Dr. Alexander’s mentor and colleague Stuart D. Chow, D.O., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Trauma Surgeon at the Genesis Center for Surgical Excellence, performed her surgery. Shyamal R. Bastola, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Hematologist/Oncologist at the Genesis Cancer Care Center, coordinated with her treatment. “I’d rather be treated close to home by people I know and trust,” she said. “If I thought for one second that my chance for recovery was better somewhere else, I would have gone there.” 

  

Another factor in choosing Genesis was that Dr. Chow would perform her surgery robotically. “He was instrumental in getting our robotic program going,” she said. “We are far ahead of most hospitals.” 

  

After her surgery, Dr. Alexander created a Facebook post. “I rarely post. However, I wanted all my friends and colleagues to see and share the message that cancer is treatable if you catch it early.” 

  

There was one more call containing bad news. One of her lymph nodes was positive for cancer, and she needed chemo. “My Genesis family was phenomenal,” she said. “I received cards from Genesis President and CEO Matt Perry, and letters of encouragement from the entire hospital community.” She said that whoever designed the Cancer Care Center infusion suite, where rows of comfortable recliners overlook the Genesis Fitness Trail, is a genius. “Watching colleagues and people come and go was great therapy,” she said.  

 

Eleven years ago, Dr. Alexander and her husband purchased a foreclosed property on an acre of land less than a mile from Genesis Hospital. They have a pair of St. Bernard littermates, Sophie and Finn, who endlessly entertain them with sibling squabbles. 

  

When she gets home from work, Dr. Alexander does a walkabout of the yard and gardens with the dogs. “This year, I’ve been into propagating plants,” she said. “We love our backyard. It’s a good place to recharge.” A guitarist at her church, Dr. Alexander often plays in her gazebo or one of several seating areas. 

 

Dr. Alexander says she is a glass-is-half-full kind of person. Now she uses her experience as a patient to reassure her patients. “I tell them, ‘I know you’re scared, but you need to know that there are six people in this surgery suite, and you are our only focus.’ I’ve been on the receiving end of that focus. The right people are in those positions.” 

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

In September 2023, Brandice Alexander, D.O., began her 13th year as a Fellowship-trained, Board-certified Trauma Surgeon at Genesis HealthCare System. 

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Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Offers a Better Solution

Lisa Hillis had been a long-time patient at Genesis OB/GYN Group, and after years of heavy and abnormal bleeding, sought help from Kristina Loomis, M.D., a Board-certified OB/GYN with the Genesis OB/GYN Group, for a solution.

“I was worried every day and wondered, how am I going to deal with this if my period lasts much longer? I talked to Dr. Loomis frequently about the stress and anxiety I was feeling, and she listened, helped me feel comfortable and came up with a plan,” Lisa said.

Lisa’s consistent bleeding issue left her anemic, tired and with a low blood count. To bolster her body, she received a blood transfusion, along with several choices for treatment.

Finding the best, least invasive answer

“Modern medicine often provides several options,” said Dr. Loomis. “We aim to find the best, least invasive answer. Lisa was methodical, thoughtful and motivated to keep going through that process. She tried oral birth control medications and an IUD, and underwent biopsies and a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus. Even then, she still experienced pelvic pain and heavy bleeding, so ultimately, we proceeded with a hysterectomy.”

During a hysterectomy, surgeons remove the uterus and may also remove the cervix, ovaries and/or fallopian tubes. Though considered a major surgery, advanced robotic-assisted technology at Genesis allows surgeons to perform the procedure with minimally invasive techniques.

Advanced, minimally invasive benefits

By using robotic technology called the da Vinci Surgical System, OB/GYNs at Genesis can perform hysterectomies with pinpoint precision and small incisions. The system involves interactive robotic arms and instruments and a 3D vision system – but the surgeon still makes all the decisions.

“It’s not an automated surgery; that’s a misconception,” Dr. Loomis said. “The robotic equipment acts as my hands, but I control every tiny movement. Plus, the 3D viewfinder gives me more detail, and the minimally invasive technique reduces pain and improves healing.”

For Lisa, having robotic technology in the operating room felt intriguing and exciting.

“It was such an interesting experience as they wheeled me into the operating room. I was able to view all the robotic equipment and found myself asking a variety of questions. The surgical team reacted with professionalism and kindness as they gave me all the answers,” Lisa said.

Problem solved and happy days ahead

The robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy offered Lisa the solution she desperately needed, and she’s embracing life again. “I can finally do whatever I want, whenever I want, and I feel great. Everyone at Genesis is top-notch and gave me great care and peace of mind. I’m so thankful I had this experience with our local hospital and that I didn’t have to drive to Columbus. I only wish I would have done it sooner,” Lisa said.

Positively robotic

Robotic-assisted technology at Genesis offers patients multiple advantages, including:

  • Smaller incisions – For example, Lisa’s robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy resulted in just four half-inch incisions. Traditional abdominal hysterectomy incisionsrange from six to eight inches long.
  • Pinpoint precision – With 3D views and flexible, small robotic instruments, surgeons can navigate around sensitive organs, tissues and nerves. Plus, robotic instruments can move in ways human hands can’t.
  • Faster recoveries – With smaller incisions come lower infection rates, less blood loss and scarring.
  • Shorter hospital stays – Robotic-assisted hysterectomy patients usually return home from the hospital either the next day or the same day as surgery. Patients often return to work within two weeks for light work and six weeks for heavy-labor professions.

“Our robotic program at Genesis continues to grow. Patients might be surprised about what can be done with this advanced technology. Right now, general surgeons, urologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and OB/GYNs use it,” said Dr. Kristina Loomis. “It’s wonderful that at Genesis, we can maintain a community feel while offering all the benefits of advanced care and technology.”

Lisa Hillis had been a long-time patient at Genesis OB/GYN Group, and after years of heavy and abnormal bleeding, sought help from Kristina Loomis, M.D., a Board-certified OB/GYN with the Genesis OB/GYN Group, for a solution.

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Woman is Repaired and Restored After Hiatal Hernia Surgery

30 years of living with heartburn fixed in four hours

For more than 30 years, Char Bucci lived with severe heartburn – so severe, she’d throw up the burning acid several times every month. Though painful, she fully intended to live with the fiery symptoms her entire life. Being resourceful, Char tried lessening the harshness of her health issues. She avoided foods like onions, salads, sausages and anything spicy. She slept upright, propped by six pillows. Plus, she’d guzzle pop as an attempt to break down food and acid. Yet, the pain and problems continued.

“I just couldn’t live with the vomiting anymore,” Char said. “The acid was so bad at night, I really thought it was going to kill me.”

In addition to harsh acid reflux and heartburn, Char found herself choking on swallowed food, regardless of how long she’d chew each bite. “I had problems swallowing, and doctors looked down my throat with a scope about 30 years ago. That’s how we discovered I had a hiatal hernia. It just kept getting bigger, and the problems got worse,” Char said.

What is a hiatal hernia?

When an internal body part moves into an area it shouldn’t be, it’s considered a hernia. Several types of hernias exist. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach pushes through a hole in the large muscle that separates the abdomen and chest (the diaphragm). The hiatus, or esophagus opening, stretches out and becomes enlarged, making room for the stomach to slide up through that hole and into the chest area.

“Unlike other hernias, hiatal hernias don’t stick out visibly, so there’s no way of knowing it’s there without imaging, but Char’s trouble swallowing was a tell-tale sign,” said Adam Rothermel, M.D., medical director and general surgeon at the Genesis Center of Surgical Excellence.

Hiatal hernias can come with various symptoms, and individuals may experience all, some or none of them. In fact, hiatal hernias earned the nickname of “the great mimic” because their symptoms mimic other diagnoses.

Robotic-assisted surgery can repair a hernia

As time went by, Char’s hiatal hernia grew in size and severity. She began losing weight, vomiting more and experiencing daily swallowing issues. Surgery was desperately needed, and Char finally felt ready to move forward. Upon a referral from her primary care physician, Char met with Dr. Rothermel at the Genesis Center of Surgical Excellence.

“Right away, I fell in love with Dr. Rothermel,” Char said. “Once I met him, there was no doubt in my mind. He put me at ease, explained things so clearly and was fantastic!” Dr. Rothermel recommended a robot-assisted, minimally invasive hiatal hernia repair surgery. The cutting-edge robotic equipment, named the da Vinci® Surgical System provides surgeons and patients major benefits, including smaller incisions, decreased risk of infection, and faster recovery time.

“Before minimally invasive hiatal hernia repairs, people had an attitude of, ‘Live with it. Deal with it. Die with it.’ That attitude may still exist, but only in people who need to learn about the benefits of minimally invasive hiatal hernia repairs. It’s a completely different experience now,” Dr. Rothermel said.

How minimally-invasive hiatal hernia repair surgery works

With the innovative robotic-assisted technology at Genesis, incision sites measure less than an inch, compared to the 12-inch long incision from the top to bottom of the abdomen before minimally invasive surgery. In comparison with large incisions of the past, complication rates previously soared between 20 and 30%; with today’s robot-assisted technology and tiny incision sites, complication rates are dramatically reduced.

Char’s surgery only took four hours, and it drastically improved the rest of her life.

“More than 50% of Char’s stomach was stuck up in her chest. It was a large hernia,” Dr. Rothermel reported. “In addition to repositioning her stomach and closing the hole in the diaphragm, we performed a fundoplication – a procedure to stop acid reflux from getting into the esophagus. A week later she came in for a follow-up, and I was thrilled to hear how her quality of life had improved.”

“I didn’t realize how bad I was before the surgery,” Char said. “I sleep better, feel better and have more energy. It’s like I’m a new person.”

Today, Char enjoys a variety of foods. Recently, she savored biscuits and gravy – a dish she never attempted with her hiatal hernia. Char said the vomiting has ceased, she can sleep lying down, she hasn’t sipped pop since her surgery, and she finds joy in having abundant energy to cheer for her grandchildren at athletic games. She’s living – and loving – life after her hiatal hernia repair.

When it’s time to go to the doctor

“If you have a hernia, it won’t go away on its own, and it will likely grow larger over time,” said Dr. Rothermel. “As the hernia grows in size, the risk of intestines getting stuck inside the hernia grows as well. Do yourself a favor, and take care of it before it causes an emergency.” If you suspect a hernia, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician.

The most common types of hernias are:

inguinal and femoral hernias (groin)
umbilical hernias (belly button)
incisional hernias (post-surgery sites)
hiatal hernias (diaphragm)

Symptoms of inguinal, femoral, umbilical and incisional hernias include:

an extended bulge of tissue that can be pushed in toward the body, and when let go, the bulge sticks out again
abdominal pain or heartburn

Hiatal hernia symptoms can include:

trouble swallowing
chest pain, heartburn or acid reflux
abdominal pain
shortness of breath
vomiting food, liquid or blood

If you know you have a hernia and experience pain, nausea and/or are unable to have a bowel movement, seek medical care immediately. Call the Center of Surgical Excellence at (740) 453-0661 to learn more about the services available.

Char Bucci Patient Story

For 30 years, Char Bucci lived with heartburn. As time went by, Char’s hiatal hernia grew in size and severity. Surgery was needed, and Char felt ready to move forward.

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Surgeon Repairs 3 Hernias in Single Robot-Assisted Surgery

Salon owner is back to work in 10 days

Tina Cummings owns a bustling salon and spa in Zanesville and didn’t have time for a lengthy surgery and recovery. Who does, really? But the pain in Tina’s abdomen couldn’t be ignored any longer. She had already parked her beloved mountain bike she enjoyed as a hobby, stopped doing yoga, and had even limited her everyday physical movements.

“I’m busy, so I just kept putting it off. I didn’t even realize how much I had cut my physical activity. After about a year of that, I got a bad cold, was coughing a lot, and then I could really feel the bulging. I had to deal with it,” Tina said.

Tina suspected that a hernia was causing her bulging abdomen. She was right. Once confirmed by her family physician, she began asking clients and friends if they had any recommendations for a hernia repair surgeon. Repeatedly, she heard about Adam Rothermel, M.D., general surgeon and director, Genesis Center of Surgical Excellence.

“They said they’d totally trust him, so that’s who I went to see,” Tina said. “At first, I learned I had one hernia, then Dr. Rothermel did a physical exam and I had three hernias. He also told me about a surgical option that would allow me to return to work much faster than I anticipated.”

Choosing the right surgical option for hernias

Tina suffered from bilateral inguinal hernias (meaning on each side of her groin) and an umbilical hernia. Those types of hernias are most likely present at birth and can slowly grow with strenuous activity and pressure to the abdomen.

Hernias involve an organ or tissue bulging through muscle or tissue that holds it in place. To repair the weakness in the abdominal wall, surgeons can either perform traditional (open) surgery, a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, or an innovative robot-assisted surgery.

“I knew Tina would be an excellent candidate for our robot-assisted surgery because she’s young, healthy, hasn’t had other hernia surgeries. And I also knew how important it was to Tina to have a speedy and complete recovery, so she could return to the lifestyle she enjoys,” Dr. Rothermel said.

Smaller incisions, quicker recovery with robotic surgery

With the surgical robotic system, Genesis surgeons can offer triple hernia repair during just one procedure, with small, half-inch incisions – providing patients like Tina a speedy return to full activity. Not only did it seem like the most logical choice to Tina, the quick recovery made a tremendous difference in that chapter of her life.

“I told Tina that usually patients recover from robot-assisted surgery with full activity within two weeks of the procedure. On the other hand, traditional surgery, repairing all three hernias at one time, would be too much for a patient to handle in terms of pain and recovery. So for Tina, she would have had two or three traditional hernia repair surgeries, with four-week recovery times for each procedure,” Dr. Rothermel said. The robotic surgery offers other benefits too, like reduced bleeding, less pain, decreased risks of infection and lower incidences of chronic pain.

During the procedure, the surgeon sits near the patient in a console that provides 3D visualization of the patient’s organs and tissues. The surgeon performs the procedure by utilizing a device that maneuvers the robot’s arm and its attached instruments. The arm moves over the patient, and the instruments can articulate with movements as agile as the human wrist and with exact precision.

Robotic surgery - exciting technology for patients and surgeons

Robot-assisted surgeries have recently become available in general surgeries like hernia repair, colon resections and gallbladder removal. “Five years ago, robotic surgery still contained the question of, ‘Is there really a benefit for general surgery?’ Now the answer is a clear and resounding – yes. The benefits stand out significantly, and I see this as the future of general surgery,” Dr. Rothermel said.

Tina underwent her robot-assisted triple hernia repair procedure in spring 2018, and within 10 days she returned to her beloved work on “light duty.” Within four weeks of the surgery, she had fully recovered and was back at the salon and spa at full speed.

“My confidence in Genesis quadrupled during this experience,” Tina said. “The nurses and techs gave me personalized care and attention. They were amazing. Dr. Rothermel continuously came to check on me, and he’s genuinely concerned about his patients. Thanks to their care, I’m back to 100 percent now.”

Surgical procedures available at Genesis

Our highly-skilled surgeons have been performing robot-assisted surgeries for years. A robotics platform allows our specially trained surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries.

The da Vinci Surgical System® provides physicians enhanced detail and precision while allowing operation through small incisions. The robot can only move with the surgeon’s direct input and own movement. Procedures performed with robotics assistance include hysterectomy, gallbladder removal, several types of hernia repair and bowel resections.

Tina Cummings Patient Story

Salon owner, Tina Cummings, is back to work in 10 days after surgery at Genesis for bilateral inguinal hernias and an umbilical hernia.

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