AceShowbiz - The Wanted singer, Max George, has shared a heartfelt update as he prepares to return home following a series of hospitalizations and an emergency heart surgery. Originally anticipating spending Christmas in a hospital bed, the 36-year-old singer's condition took a turn for the better just in time for the holidays.

Max revealed to fans earlier this month that he had been dealing with an undiagnosed heart condition, which led to a serious emergency operation.

"It's time to go home. The numbers are way better. I feel knackered, slept a lot today," he said in a follow-up video posted from his hospital bed.

Although he has been discharged, Max is not completely in the clear as doctors will continue to run tests due to a discovered lung issue. "Few more tests to do over the next couple of weeks, something to do with my lungs but that's the least of my worries right now," he added.

Despite feeling "bruised and battered," Max was optimistic when he learned he had got a pacemaker sooner than expected. "Say hello to my little friend! Given the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could've ever wished for," he shared on Instagram.

The device was implanted under a special tattoo bearing the birthdate of his late bandmate, Tom Parker, who passed away in March 2022 after a battle with brain cancer.

Max's journey to recovery involved overcoming multiple obstacles. He shared, "My heart rate dropped this morning, which was a little bit scary. But everyone here's amazing and they managed to get it back up a little bit and get it stable again, which is great."

The singer has been open about the complexity of his condition, a 2:1 block that causes the heart to beat slower or more irregularly than it should. This necessitated the emergency fitting of the pacemaker to regulate his heart rate.

Reflecting on his ordeal, Max, who has also battled alcoholism, remarked, "It's a bit of a mystery really, but that's the hard bit. It's the waiting. My heart rate is really, really low. They're monitoring it 24/7, everyone has been amazing. But the waiting bit is tough. It's just one of them things, unfortunately. Whatever I get, I've got to get on with it. We're hoping pacemaker, a pacemaker is good."

Now at home, Max is reunited with his girlfriend, Maisie Smith, who made a special 500-mile trip to be with him for Christmas. Max posted, "Merry Christmas everyone! I just wanted to say that I am back home waiting for my beautiful girlfriend to arrive at some point. Best present ever - thanks for the love."

As Max continues his recovery journey, he remains upbeat and thankful for the unwavering support from his family, friends, and fans. The personal and medical trials faced by the "Glad You Came" hitmaker highlight the resilience and positivity required to tackle health challenges head-on.