When it comes to hernias, no two are quite the same. Hernias take on a range of sizes and may appear in various places within the abdomen or groin, leading to the need for tailored approaches to care. One thing for certain, however, is that having a dedicated center nearby equipped to address even the most complex hernias is a huge plus for North Texas. It has also proven to be a blessing for area residents Paula Paschal and Lawrence Elliott.

Both Paschal and Elliott lived with the debilitating effects of abdominal wall hernias for years before being connected to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and general surgeon Paul Gray Jr., M.D., FACS, a physician on the hospital’s medical staff and at Texas Health Surgical Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice. Two resources that made all the difference.

Texas Health Fort Worth is the first hospital in North Texas to be accredited as a Center of Excellence in Hernia Surgery. “The accreditation reflects Texas Health Fort Worth’s commitment to provide the highest standard of care to hernia patients at every encounter, from the first consult to the operating room to follow-up care after surgery,” according to Gray, who is one of five Accredited Surgeons of Excellence in the program and its medical director. “It’s more than just a matter of relieving a patient’s pain, it’s also about restoring function and promoting a better quality of life for them.”

“Hernia surgery has been a long-standing part of general surgery, but the recent decade has brought advancements in technology and techniques. Older approaches to managing hernias often resulted in high levels of recurrence, especially with complex hernias. Utilizing the full spectrum of individualized modern hernia care available at Texas Health Fort Worth, we are seeing much better results,” he adds.

A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through the muscle that normally keeps it in place. Some hernias can occur by themselves due to inherent weaknesses in the abdominal wall. Others commonly develop at the site of incisions from previous surgeries. Obesity is a common risk factor as well.

Although a hernia may not require immediate treatment, it will not go away on its own and may worsen over time and cause life-threatening complications such as bowel obstruction or bowel strangulation. Individualized hernia care at Texas Health Fort Worth often includes robotic minimally invasive surgeries that promote quicker recoveries, fewer complications, and better overall outcomes for patients. Just ask Paula Paschal.

Paula’s Story

Paula Paschal developed a hernia after battling colon cancer in the 1990s. She later required a temporary opening be placed in her abdominal wall (ileostomy) due to the removal of her colon. A hernia formed at the site of the ileostomy after the abdominal surgery and persisted for several years.

Paula Paschal

Paschal’s digestive system was so weakened by all the trauma that, in 2023, she was unable to properly prepare for a colonoscopy. That’s when her colon surgeon referred her to Gray for collaboration on care going forward.

Aware that Paschal likely had significant internal scarring from her previous abdominal surgeries, Gray knew he might not be able to repair the 58-year-old’s complex hernia using a robotic-assisted procedure.

“Dr. Gray was very detailed and specific about his surgical plan, and that it might have to change if he wasn’t able to close the area with mesh after removing the hernia,” Paschal says. “I understood what I was up against, and I was prepared because of Dr. Gray’s level of detail and knowledge.”

“For the majority of abdominal wall hernias, reinforcement with mesh is an important part of the operation to prevent hernia recurrence,” Gray notes.

The minimally invasive repair was successful, and Paschal was able to return home from the hospital just five days after her surgery. Today, she gets up every morning and cooks breakfast and looks forward to spending quality time with her young niece and nephew.

“I am doing a thousand percent better, thanks to Dr. Gray and his staff,” she says.

Lawrence’s Story

For two decades, Lawrence Elliott suffered from complications related to hiatal hernia surgery. Initially, he experienced extreme abdominal pain that required numerous visits to the emergency room for morphine injections to provide some relief.

Lawrence Elliott

Surgery to repair a large tear in the diaphragm where the esophagus connects to the stomach helped alleviate the need for the ER visits. However, the effects of the procedure were short-lived when he developed an incisional hernia at the surgical site that led to three additional abdominal surgeries over the next five years to install and reinstall mesh.

Elliott continued to put up with chronic issues from the hernia, bowel obstructions, and the resulting enlarged abdomen for another 15 years. It was a series of obstructions early in 2025 that finally led to a turning point for the Fort Worth resident.

“I had a blockage incident that required hospitalization,” he explains. “The attending physician at Texas Health Southwest Fort Worth acknowledged that I needed a solution for my hernia issues. This resulted in the recommendation of Dr. Gray, a hernia specialist in the Fort Worth area.”

Looking for a better way of life, Elliott met with Gray, who then developed a surgical treatment and recovery plan for the 75-year-old. Due to the complex nature of the hernia and a pre-existing heart condition, he was told that he wasn’t a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.

“Of significance for the open procedure was that the doctor said delay-released anesthesia and a nerve block would be used to minimize the surgical pain and improve my outcome. His thorough explanation of the approach and his clear knowledge of the risks involved convinced me to proceed,” Elliott says.

Eight months post-surgery and Elliott says he feels like a new man. “My self confidence in public definitely has taken a positive turn and my movement is certainly much easier. But it’s my personal appearance and reduced fear of additional abdominal obstructions that are the most significant improvements. Dr. Gray has assembled an impressive surgical team, and I am extremely grateful to them all,” he adds.

“Every recurrence brings lower ability to provide a long-term positive outcome for patients with hernias. At Texas Health Fort Worth, we strive to promote advanced solutions for improved recovery and quality of life,” Gray says.

Learn more about surgical care at Texas Health or find a surgeon on the medical staff of a Texas Health hospital near you.