Max George has offered a health update after being rushed for emergency heart surgery.
singer, who lost his bandmate Tom Parker to a rare brain tumour, shared a snap from his hospital bed showing the incision surgeons made underneath a tattoo on his chest.
Showing his bare chest and a stitched-up wound underneath ink of a date, reading 04.08.1988 – the day his late bandmate Tom was born – Max confirmed he’s now been fitted with a pacemaker.
He explained via : “Say hello to my little friend! Given the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could’ve ever wished for.
“Pacemaker is in. Operation took around two and half hours. The main issue being some of my veins had collapsed where the wires were meant to go… But the surgeons and nurses at the NHS have been incredible. I owe everything to them. The surgeon kindly put my pacemaker just underneath a very special tattoo of mine… So I’m sure it’s being looked after.”
Max George was rushed for emergency surgery (Image: Getty)
Max confessed he still has some medical tests to undergo, writing: “Few more tests to do due to inflamed lymph nodes on my lungs, but that’ll be easy work!”Time to rest and then tackle life full on once again. Thank you for all your support. It’s meant a hell of a lot to myself and my family. Much love, Max.”
Max, 36, has suffered from a 2:1 atrioventricular block which required he be fitted with a pacemaker. The condition occurs when electrical impulses are delayed or blocked from reaching the ventricles of the heart.
Max’s heart rate “failed to pick up”, meaning he had to be rushed in for emergency surgery. He explained his battle with alcoholism was ruled out as a cause, explaining: “We’ve cancelled out a few things, like alcohol for example. I’ve not had a drink for four and a half years, so it’s not that.”
His girlfriend, star Maisie Smith, is said to be frantic, with a source telling The Sun: “It’s been a really worrying and distressing time for Max and Maisie. All she wants to do is be by his bedside day and night but she’s committed to her panto show and doesn’t want to let anyone down.
“She’s done her best to be able to visit him when hospital visiting hours allow, but it’s been a real struggle juggling everything. Max is on her mind 24/7 and she wants more than anything for him to be better as soon as possible.”