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Doctors ‘amazed’ at Maradona’s brain surgery recovery

Agence France-Presse

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Doctors ‘amazed’ at Maradona’s brain surgery recovery

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 07, 2020 Argentine former football star Diego Maradona acknowledges spectators during an homage before the start of the Argentina First Division 2020 Superliga Tournament football match Boca Juniors vs Gimnasia La Plata, at La Bombonera stadium, in Buenos Aires. - Argentine football great Diego Maradona was admitted to hospital on November 2, 2020 for medical checks, his personal doctor announced. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)

Photo by Alejandro Pagni/AFP

'We are amazed at how he's healing,' says Maradona's doctor Leopoldo Luque

Doctors treating Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who had successful brain surgery to remove a blood clot, are “amazed” at the rate of his recovery, his physician said Wednesday, November 4.

Surgeons at a private clinic in Buenos Aires spent 80 minutes removing the clot on Tuesday night.

“I just saw him, he’s switched on, in a very good mood. We are amazed at how he’s healing,” said the doctor, Leopoldo Luque, who provided an update on the 60-year-old’s condition.

“But we have to be careful because we are still in the post-operative period,” he cautioned.

“It is clear that he has no neurological complications,” said Luque, speaking to reporters through a mask. 

“There are other parameters that we are waiting to evaluate, because it is still very early. But the recovery is excellent.”

The comments sparked loud cheering and chanting from fans of Maradona who have hung banners depicting his glory day outside the clinic.

“Once more his health has played a trick on him but he has antibodies to recover with the help of the people,” fan Oscar Medina told AFP.

World Cup winner Maradona had been taken to hospital in La Plata – where he is the coach of top-flight side Gimnasia y Esgrima – on Monday for a series of tests after feeling unwell.

A scan revealed the blood clot, and on Tuesday he was transferred to the clinic in a northern neighborhood of the capital.

“We managed to successfully remove the clot. Diego coped well with the surgery,” Luque said in an earlier update.

Maradona, who turned 60 on Friday, has suffered ill health before. He has survived two heart attacks, and also contracted hepatitis and underwent gastric bypass surgery.

Following this surgery, fellow Argentina football star Lionel Messi sent him a message of support.

“Diego, all the strength in the world. My family and I want to see you well as soon as possible,” said the Barcelona forward, who like Maradona in his pomp wears the No.10 jersey.

Anemic

Maradona was transferred from the hospital in La Plata, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Buenos Aires, to the capital at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT) on Tuesday accompanied by another daughter, Giannina.

Dozens of Gimnasia fans outside the La Plata hospital chanted his name as he left.

Earlier in the day, Luque claimed Maradona was suffering from anemia – a lack of iron in his system – and dehydration.

He also suggested Maradona’s lifestyle had contributed to his condition.

“He’s an elderly patient with many pressures in his life. It’s a time when we must help him. It’s very difficult to be Maradona,” Luque said of the star.

He said it was a condition that also affected Vice President Cristina Kirchner when she was president.

“It breaks my heart to see him like this,” Giannina tweeted the next day.

Maradona has difficulty retaining iron due to gastric bypass surgery he underwent in 2005 to lose 50 kilograms (110 pounds), leaving him prone to anemia, Luque said.

Though he has recovered from a well-documented addiction to hard drugs, Maradona takes medication in the form of tranquilizers and anxiolytics. – Rappler.com

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