Diving Back In — How Robotic Surgery Helped Kelly Get Back to Her Passion

Kelly Larson shares her journey of dealing with long-term pelvic issues that affected her quality of life and her passion for scuba diving. After being referred to Dr. Franklin Johnson, an OB/GYN at San Antonio Regional Hospital, Kelly underwent a robotic-assisted hysterectomy to remove a large pelvic mass.

Dr. Johnson explains how advanced robotic technology allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with minimal incisions, reduced blood loss, and much faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery. In Kelly’s case, an 18-centimeter (7 inch) mass  was removed in just 90 minutes, and she was able to go home the same day.

Kelly describes her recovery as life-changing. Within days, she was feeling stronger, more energetic, and no longer burdened by heavy bleeding or inflammation. Just weeks after her procedure, she returned to scuba diving—free from the worries that once held her back.