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# Adam S. Harris, M.D.: General Surgeon in Birmingham AL Adam S. Harris, MD

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://surgeonadamharris.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Hernia Surgery Recovery: Your Week-by-Week Guide](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hernia-surgery-recovery-your-week-by-week-guide/): If you are scheduled for hernia repair with Dr. Adam Harris, you are likely wondering, how soon can I get back to my routine? 
- [When is Gallbladder Surgery an Emergency? A Guide for Birmingham Patients](https://surgeonadamharris.com/when-is-gallbladder-surgery-an-emergency-a-guide-for-birmingham-patients/): If a meal at your favorite Birmingham BBQ spot is followed by sharp, recurring pains instead of satisfaction, gallstones might be the culprit. While indigestion is common, it’s vital to know when a nagging ache crosses the line into a possible surgical emergency.
- [Gallbladder Removal Surgery: What to expect post-op](https://surgeonadamharris.com/gallbladder-removal-surgery-what-to-expect-post-op/): You likely feel a mix of relief and nervousness over the prospect of having gallbladder surgery, which doctors call a cholecystectomy, as you do not know what to expect during the healing process. This is a major step to reclaiming your health since you have been dealing with digestive issues, such as sharp pains and stomach upset, for quite some time.
- [What Is a Hiatal Hernia and How Can Surgery Fix It?](https://surgeonadamharris.com/can-surgery-fix-hiatal-hernia/): A hiatal hernia comes about when your stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm into your chest. While you can treat mild cases of this condition with medication, you will have to undergo hiatal hernia surgery if your body fails to respond to treatment. 

## Pages
- [Incisional Hernia Repair](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hernia-repair-surgery-birmingham/incisional-hernia-surgery/): Incisional hernias are caused by by the breakdown of previous surgical closures in the abdominal wall. Pressure within the abdominal cavity forces a gap or hole through the weakened scar tissue left behind by an old operation.
- [Colon Surgery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/colon-and-rectal-surgery/): Recovery varies by procedure, but most patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery can expect a hospital stay of 3 to 5 days. Dr. Harris and his team provide a detailed post-operative plan to manage pain and transition back to a normal diet.
- [Umbilical Hernia Repair](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hernia-repair-surgery-birmingham/umbilical-hernia-surgery/): In adults, umbilical hernias are usually acquired rather than congenital. They are caused by increased pressure within the abdominal cavity that eventually forces a hole through a natural weak point behind the navel. Common causes include:
- [Blog](https://surgeonadamharris.com/posts/): Blog
- [Robotic Surgery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/procedures/robotic-surgery/): While many associate robotic surgery primarily with urology or gynecology, it is frequently used for a wide range of general surgery procedures. Dr. Harris utilizes the Da Vinci platform most commonly for inguinal and hiatal hernias but sometimes for gallbladder removal as well.
- [Notice of Non-Discrimination](https://surgeonadamharris.com/notice-non-discrimination/): Adam Harris, MD complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.  Anderson Clinic does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
- [Hiatal Hernia](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hiatal-hernia/): A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes up through an opening in the diaphragm (the hiatus) into the chest cavity. This happens because the opening in the diaphragm is too large. While small hernias may cause no symptoms, larger ones can lead to acid reflux, heartburn, and difficult swallowing.
- [Patient Guide to Hernia Surgery Recovery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hernia-repair-surgery-birmingham/hernia-surgery-recovery-patient-guide/): Recovery from hernia surgery is generally fast, but the first 72 hours are important for long-term success. Use this checklist to stay on track.
- [Inguinal Hernia Repair](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hernia-repair-surgery-birmingham/inguinal-hernia-surgery-birmingham/): Dr. Harris offers several approaches to hernia repair, tailored to the patient's specific needs and medical history:
- [What to Expect From Gallbladder Surgery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/gallbladder-surgery-birmingham/what-to-expect-gallbladder-surgery/): Most gallbladder surgeries performed by Dr. Harris are done on an outpatient same-day basis, allowing you to recover in the comfort of your own home the same day as your surgery.
- [Hernia Repair](https://surgeonadamharris.com/hernia-repair-surgery-birmingham/): Hernias can be repaired by an open, laparoscopic or robotic approach.  Mesh is used for most hernia repairs because the risk of a hernia coming back is much lower when mesh is used.  The amount of post operative pain is often much lower when mesh is used as well - especially with inguinal hernias.  Primarily due to the  many commercials put out by lawyers, some patients are very concerned to have a hernia mesh used.  These lawsuits involve mesh that was recalled years ago and the mesh that hernia Dr. Harris uses has been studied extensively and found to be safe - he would not hesitate to have it used on himself or a family member if needed. Call our office to learn more about hernia mesh surgery.
- [Gallbladder Surgery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/gallbladder-surgery-birmingham/): Whether you are dealing with painful gallstones, chronic inflammation, or a non-functioning gallbladder, your choice of surgeon is important. Dr. Adam Harris is a board-certified expertly trained surgeon performing minimally invasive gallbladder surgery for patient's in the greater Birmingham area.  
- [Home](https://surgeonadamharris.com/): When hernia, gallbladder or other surgery is your next step, you deserve a surgeon who prioritizes both clinical excellence and your personal peace of mind. Dr. Adam S. Harris is a board-certified general surgeon dedicated to providing world-class surgical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach.  
- [Parathyroid Surgery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/parathyroid-surgery/): The parathyroid glands serve as the body's primary regulator for calcium, a mineral essential for bone health, nerve conduction, and heart function. The glands secrete a hormone called parathyroid hormone or PTH.  When one or more of these four glands develops a benign overgrowth, known as an adenoma, it can overproduce parathyroid hormone (PTH). This leads to Hyperparathyroidism-a condition where too much calcium is removed from the bones and pushed into the bloodstream, triggering a cascade of systemic health issues.
- [Dr Harris](https://surgeonadamharris.com/adam-harris-md/): Dr. Harris brings high-caliber surgical expertise to his Birmingham practice-where you're a patient, not a number.
- [sitemap](https://surgeonadamharris.com/sitemap/)
- [Can Hiatal Hernia Cause Back Pain?](https://surgeonadamharris.com/can-hiatal-hernia-cause-back-pain/): A hernia occurs when tissue or an organ pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue around it. A weakness in the abdominal wall typically causes this condition. While hernias commonly affect the abdomen and groin area, certain types can also cause back pain. Although hernias sometimes cause back pain, not all hernias necessarily result in back pain.
- [Skin and Soft Tissue Lesions](https://surgeonadamharris.com/skin-and-soft-tissue-lesions/): These procedures are usually minor and these can often be done in the office. These are rarely malignant but only a medical professional can help determine this.
- [Surgery For Thyroid](https://surgeonadamharris.com/surgery-for-thyroid/): The thyroid gland produces hormones that primarily help to regulate metabolism as well as growth during development.  While you can not live long term without thyroid hormone, there is a small inexpensive pill that can replace the hormone in those without a thyroid gland or a gland that isn't functioning properly.
- [Surgery For Endocrine Disease](https://surgeonadamharris.com/surgery-for-endocrine-disease/): Thyroid disease: there are primarily two reasons for thyroid surgery.  1) the gland grows so large that it begins to cause discomfort in the neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing.  Even if it isn't causing these type symptoms, if the thyroid is found to be growing large enough to reach below the level of the upper sternum, it should be removed.  2) thyroid cancer or high suspicion for cancer.  Sometimes nodules are detected in the thyroid and based on their size and several ultrasound imaging characteristics, a biopsy may be recommended.  The biopsy is usually done as an FNA (fine needle aspiration) under ultrasound guidance.  A very thin needle is inserted into the nodule and cells are aspirated out.  Then they are sent to pathologist for analysis.  The results may be clearly benign, clearly cancer, or somewhere in between.  There is additional testing called Affirma that can be done if the results are indeterminate - Dr. Harris recommends that his patients have this done if results are indeterminate.  If you do have thyroid cancer, thyroidectomy is generally recommended.  Sometimes the cancer is small enough that only one side of the thyroid is removed but this is usually not the case.  Without a thyroid, you will need supplemental thyroid hormone called levothyroxine or synthroid.  This is a very small inexpensive pill that is taken daily.  If you miss a dose or two, it is unlikely to be a problem because the drug is long acting.  However, if you do not take the drug for several weeks, it could lead to life threatening hypothyroidism.
- [Surgery For Breast Disease](https://surgeonadamharris.com/surgery-for-breast-disease/): Dr. Adam Harris has significant experience in treatment of benign, malignant, and premalignant breast conditions.  When screening imaging detects a suspicious area or when a mass is felt, a biopsy is often done using a tiny incision and needle with ultrasound or X-ray guidance. If the biopsy reveals cancer, pre-cancer, or the biopsy is indeterminate, surgery may be required.
- [Anti-Reflux Surgery](https://surgeonadamharris.com/anti-reflux-surgery/): This is a disease entity in which Dr. Adam Harris, a board-certified general surgeon in Birmingham, is particularly well trained.  While at the Mayo Clinic, he trained under Dr. C. Dan Smith who is one of the nation's leaders in reflux and esophageal surgery.  In this part of the country, some gastroenterologists can be reluctant to refer patients for anti-reflux surgery even though studies have showed high patient satisfaction with anti-reflux surgery.  However, if patients have significant hiatal hernia they are often referred for surgery.  The best study to quantify the size of a hiatal hernia is a barium esophagram or barium swallow.  If there is not a significant hiatal hernia and if reflux symptoms are well controlled by medications and the patient does not mind taking these medications, then surgery is often not necessary.  However, repair should be considered in a patient with a significant hiatal hernia even if the patient has minimal symptoms as long as the patient is a reasonable candidate for surgery (healthy enough to tolerate general anesthesia, laparoscopic surgery, and the small risk of potential complications).  Tests that are generally undertaken before anti-reflux surgery include upper endoscopy, barium esophagram, esophageal manometry, esophageal pH testing, and sometimes gastric emptying.
- [Laparoscopic GERD](https://surgeonadamharris.com/laparoscopic-gerd/): Dr. Harris was trained extensively in the surgical treatment of heartburn at the Mayo Clinic by some of the nation's leaders in minimally invasive surgery.  Many patients with significant heartburn have a hiatal hernia but you do not have to have a hiatal hernia to be an excellent candidate for heartburn surgery.  If your heartburn is reasonably controlled by medications and you do not have a significant hiatal hernia, then surgery is often not necessary unless you prefer to get off heartburn medications.  The tests that are generally undertaken before anti-reflux surgery are an upper endoscopy, a barium esophagram, esophageal manometry, esophageal pH testing and sometimes gastric emptying.
- [Contact](https://surgeonadamharris.com/contact/): Get Directions
- [Reviews](https://surgeonadamharris.com/reviews/): Patient Reviews - Adam Harris, MD Read What Patients are Saying about Us
- [Patient Resources](https://surgeonadamharris.com/patient-resources/): Our patient resources area provides access to patient forms, billing and insurance information as well as educational materials dedicated to empowering our patients.
- [Procedures](https://surgeonadamharris.com/procedures/): As a leader in surgical innovation in Birmingham, Dr. Harris utilizes the da Vinci Surgical System for complex abdominal procedures. This technology provides a 3D, high-definition view of the surgical site and allows for greater precision than the human hand alone. For the patient, robotic surgery often translates to less blood loss, minimal scarring, and a faster return to daily life.