Three weeks ago, Vicente Fernandez underwent a robotic surgical procedure to remove part of his liver at a University of Illinois Hospital.
Surgeons in Mexico referred Fernandez to the Chicago hospital after realizing the procedure was too complex for them.
Traditional surgery would have required a large incision, possibly injuring his abdominal muscles and jeopardizing the artist's career.
"A few minutes after waking up from anesthesia he was cracking his first jokes, and he left the hospital singing," said transplant surgeon Dr. Jose Oberholzer. "It was really beautiful to see how he recovered. It's almost like a miracle what technology can do today."
Fernandez was discharged from the hospital on November 13. He is expected to make a full recovery.
