Max George has revealed that he underwent a secret second heart operation after his first pacemaker surgery left him in agony.
The Wanted singer, 36, had a pacemaker fitted after being admitted to the hospital in December after experiencing issues with his heart.
However, just a month later, he was forced go under the knife again after it was discovered that his pacemaker wires were fitted too deeply, with the star experiencing a ‘flickering sensation’ in the weeks that followed.
In a new interview, Max opened up about his fears for the new surgery after doctors warned that the procedure could cause a ‘dangerous bleed’ on his heart.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, he explained: ‘I thought I was on the road to recovery but when I was told I needed a second operation I was nervous, as pulling the pacemaker wires out of the heart wall risks bleeding on the heart. I didn’t have a choice, though. I had to have it done.’
The singer went on to detail how things didn’t feel right after having his pacemaker fitted, with Max noting how his discomfort continued getting worse as time went by.
Max George has revealed that he underwent a secret second heart operation after his first pacemaker surgery left him in agony
The Wanted singer, 36, had a pacemaker fitted after being admitted to the hospital in December after experiencing issues with his heart
He said: ‘I was trying to get back to good health but was still having a flickering sensation for weeks after I had my pacemaker fitted and it was gradually getting worse and worse. When my heart rate went up, it was causing a shock in my heart which was making me jump all the time. My chest was shaking.’
The Glad You Came hitmaker then went on to describe how he felt ‘really nervous’ the night before the operation and couldn’t sleep as he thought about the complications that could arise.
With the support of his girlfriend Maisie Smith, 23, and mum Babs, Max later underwent the procedure, which he was conscious but heavily sedated for.
He recalled how he relaxed by listening to Oasis during the op, with the music helping transport him into his ‘own world’ and forget his fears for the operation, amid previous worries that he’d ‘bleed out’.
Though the procedure was a success, Max’s health woes continued as medics soon discovered he had developed enlarged lymph nodes on his lungs that required treatment.
However, he was warned that his lung biopsy posed a risk he could lose his voice and never sing again.
Max explained: ‘The doctor did warn me there is a small chance that I could lose my voice. That was pretty worrying, but I decided I needed to take the risk. The biopsy was pretty gnarly, it’s a camera with prongs on the end that goes down your throat. It was painful. The recovery was tough, I had chest pain and was coughing up blood for five days.’
Fortunately for Max, he was later given the all-clear and is now focusing on getting fit again after the health issues left him the ‘least fit I’ve ever been’.
However, just a month later, he was forced go under the knife again after it was discovered that his pacemaker wires were fitted too deeply, with the star experiencing a ‘flickering sensation’ in the weeks that followed
‘I thought I was on the road to recovery but when I was told I needed a second operation I was nervous, as pulling the pacemaker wires out of the heart wall risks bleeding on the heart. I didn’t have a choice, though. I had to have it done’
The Glad You Came hitmaker then went on to describe how he felt ‘really nervous’ the night before the operation and couldn’t sleep as he thought about the complications that could arise
Read More Max George reveals he made a heartbreaking decision after fearing he’d die amid heart operation
The performer has been enjoying daily dog walks and credits his actress girlfriend for keeping him on track, noting she’s a ‘great nurse’.
It comes shortly after Max has shared a behind-the-scenes look at his previous hospital stay, where he underwent an emergency heart operation.
Reflecting on his health journey, he took to Instagram on Thursday to share moments from his time in the hospital.
In one clip, the singer recorded himself on the way to the cardiology room, candidly admitting: ‘I was sh***ing it.’
Though the procedure was a success, Max’s health woes continued as medics soon discovered he had developed enlarged lymph nodes on his lungs that required treatment
As he recovers, the performer has been enjoying daily dog walks and credits his actress girlfriend for keeping him on track, noting she’s a ‘great nurse’
Another clip, seemingly filmed post-operation, showed Max humorously complaining about a noisy fan near his bed and the snoring of fellow patients around him.
He captioned the clips: ‘Just looking back at some of my time in hospital.. COMPLETELY forgot how the snoring next to me kept me in good spirits the first night!! Whoever that man was.. THANK YOU!
‘The second vid is one of only a few that I can see where I’m genuinely s*#*#* it. Feels weird to watch.. But it’s a reminder of the journey.’
Max has also credited his mother for saving his life by taking emergency action as he struggled with the early symptoms of a heart condition.
WHAT IS A PACEMAKER?
A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that prevents the heart from beating too slowly.
Surgery is needed to install it and the operation is generally carried out under local anaesthetic
Around 50,000 people are fitted with a pacemaker every year in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation