Deborah, a 46-year-old associate television producer and mother, was diagnosed with reflux six years ago by her allergist. She had to be careful not to eat meals too soon before she went to bed—a bed that was propped up on cement blocks to ease her heartburn symptoms. "I would always wake up at night choking, with a dry cough that wouldn't stop. My coughing fits would get so bad during the day that I sometimes had to pull over while I was driving."

Her gastroenterologist prescribed Prilosec OTC® and a promotility agent, mentioning surgery as a last resort. But last year, she had to double and triple the recommended dosage of her medication to get relief.

Deborah had several diagnostic tests that determined that she was a good candidate for a minimally invasive antireflux surgery, and she scheduled the procedure for December 1998.

She now has her life back, sleeps through the night, and is completely off her medication.