These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Carlos, age 43: I finally decided to see my doctor about my heartburn. She discovered I have a hiatal hernia and told me I could take some medication and control my heartburn or have surgery that might eliminate it. I am really not very excited by the thought of having surgery. I suppose it is safe enough, but I just don't like the idea. I am going to lose some weight and eat right. Hopefully, these changes along with the use of medications will control my heartburn.

Maria, age 28: I was glad to learn that my chest pain was heartburn. I thought I was having a heart attack. My doctor said I could treat the heartburn with medications or surgery. He said if I took medications, I would have to take them every day for the rest of my life. On the other hand, he said that surgery had a good chance of eliminating the problem, or at least the worst of it. I tried some medications and they seemed to work all right, but I wasn't really satisfied with the results. So I decided to have the surgery. Now I hope I will be able to get on with my life and not be bothered by this quite so much.

Antoine, age 40: My heartburn was really bad. I tried everything. First it was antacids and other medications I bought at the drugstore. That didn't help, so I saw my doctor. He wrote me a prescription for stronger medications than I could get in the drugstore. That helped some, but not enough. So my doctor suggested I could consider having surgery and, after thinking about it, I agreed.

Susan, age 50: I decided to take medications for my heartburn instead of having surgery. It's not so much that I am afraid of surgery, but I really don't have the time to take off right now. Taking a pill every day is not that big a deal. If it works, great! If I am not satisfied with the effectiveness of the medications, I figure I can always choose to have the surgery later.