Max George says he got the “best Christmas present ever” after a recent operation.
The Wanted singer, 36, revealed on Instagram on Saturday, December 21, that he had a pacemaker fitted after announcing weeks earlier that recent tests had revealed “problems” with his heart.
Along with a photo of his new surgical scar, the musician encouraged fans to “say hello to my little friend.”
“Looking at the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could have asked for. Pacemaker is here,” George wrote. “The operation took about 2 and a half hours. The main problem was that some of my veins collapsed where the wires were supposed to go… But the hospital surgeons, doctors and NHS nurses were amazing. I owe it all to them.”
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As George explained, the surgeon who worked on him placed the device — set to regulate the heartbeat — “right under my very special tattoo.” The ink itself reads “04.08.1998”, an obvious reference to the birthday of his late bandmate Tom Parker.
“I’m sure he’s being looked after 🤍,” George continued. “A few more tests to do due to inflamed lymph nodes in my lungs, but it will be easy work! 💪🏻 Time to rest and then get back to living life full of life ❤️. Thank you for your support. It meant a hell of a lot for yourself and your family.”
Hours before the operation, George also shared a video message with fans on his Instagram Stories, where he revealed he felt “like s—” but was “keeping his fingers crossed”.
Back on December 12, George shared on Instagram that he was hospitalized after feeling “really bad” the day before. After explaining that he has heart problems, the musician said he needs more tests to “determine how big the problems are and what surgery I’ll need to get back on my feet.” He added that “Christmas in a hospital bed is not exactly what I planned!”
“While this is a huge shock and undoubtedly a setback, it’s something I’ll take with everything I’ve got! I consider myself lucky that this was caught when it was,” he wrote in the caption. “I’m sorry if I bore you with updates in the coming weeks. I’ve probably been in bed for a month now and I don’t have THAT much to do! 😂.”
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Max George 2022.
Mike Marsland/WireImage
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A few days later, George revealed in another joint post with The Wanted 2.0 — his and bandmate Siva Kaneswaran’s musical project and the “next chapter” of their popular group — that he had a “2:1 blockage in my heart” and that heart rate has not decreased I haven’t “picked up at all in almost a week.” With the surgery scheduled “sooner” than he expected, he wrote that he might still be home for Christmas.
“The last few nights have been very difficult but I wanted to say that I am absolutely humbled by all your messages of support,” he added. “Both people I know and people I don’t know. It gave me a much-needed boost and my family was overwhelmed with support, which means more than anything to me.”
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Source: HIS Education