Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy Relieves Lisa's Chronic Pelvic Pain and Prolapse
After years of chronic pain and worsening symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, South Jersey mom Lisa Heverly found lasting relief through robotic-assisted hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair.
In constant pain, Lisa Heverly struggled to get through the day. Despite seeing several doctors, she wasn’t receiving answers or relief. But as a mother of three, she had to keep going, to stay strong.
“The last five years, I've really declined with my health. Lots of appointments, multiple colonoscopies, X-rays, MRIs, CTs,” said Lisa, 38, of Bellmawr. “I had one doctor say, you know, we've done every test we can do. I don't know what else to do for you. I just felt extremely defeated. I didn't think this was ever going to end.”
That is, until she met Virtua gynecologic surgeon Geoffrey Bowers, MD, FACOG, who was able to diagnose and resolve her pain.
Robotic Surgery Provides ‘Lifelong Repair’
When Lisa was 11, her appendix ruptured, leading to two major surgeries and multiple bowel loops attached to her abdomen. Over time, she began to experience painful spasms, bloating, and irregular bowel movements, impacting her quality of life.
Dr. Bowers diagnosed Lisa with a uterine condition and pelvic organ prolapse (a weakening of muscles that hold the vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum in place), likely worsened by the extensive scar tissue from her childhood surgeries.
Together, they decided robotic-assisted surgery was the best treatment.
“When she described her symptoms to me, I immediately thought I could correct all of her issues in one procedure, in a way that should be a lifelong repair. The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is designed to address complicated scar tissue, chronic pelvic pain, and prolapse,” said Dr. Bowers, Virtua chief of gynecology. “I could sense how frustrated she was. We were giving her a light at the end of a tunnel.”
Her Surgeon, Her Superhero
In June 2025, Lisa underwent a robotic-assisted hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair at Virtua Voorhees Hospital.
“I was almost immediately up on my feet, walking every day farther and farther,” she said. “Being a healthy mom, a happy mom for my kids, is very important to me. I can’t express how amazing that feels.”
Lisa penned a heartfelt letter to Dr. Bowers, calling him a “superhero who took my concerns seriously and offered me a resolution to my medical problems and a better quality of life.”
“You helped heal me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And all along the way, there was such warmth and compassion from you and your team,” she wrote. “Hopefully, you take a moment and remember how truly wonderful you are and that what you do makes an incredible impact on our lives.”
Recognized Expertise in GYN Surgery
Virtua gynecologic surgeons perform advanced minimally invasive procedures to treat noncancerous GYN conditions. Call 856-247-7600 to schedule an appointment.
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