He's back: Arnold Schwarzenegger says he's 'thankful' he woke up after second heart surgery

The star took to Twitter to tell his fans that he’s OK and to thank the medical professionals that took care of him

UPDATED DEC 16, 2019

Arnold Schwarzenegger, founder of the R20, speaks at the Climate Kirtag portion of the R20 Austrian World Summit on May 28, 2019 in Vienna, Austria. (Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger is letting everyone know that is back and is doing well. The actor took to social media on Monday (April 2) to update his fans about his health after he received an emergency open-heart surgery. “It’s true: I’m back!" he wrote.

Arnold took to Twitter to say that he was doing better (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

"I went to sleep expecting to wake up with a small incision and woke up with a big one,” he tweeted. “But guess what? I woke up, and that’s something to be thankful for.” Arnold even thanked the team of doctors and nurses for taking care of him. “Thank you to the doctors & nurses,” he continued. “And I’m truly filled with gratitude for all of the kind messages," he concluded.

On Friday (March 30) Arnold's representative Daniel Ketchell said the actor was in “good spirits” following the surgery. In a statement that was released was Daniel he said, "Yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger underwent a planned procedure at Cedars-Sinai to replace a pulmonic valve that was originally replaced due to a congenital heart defect in 1997.”

He had to get the emergency surgery after the procedure had complications (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

The replacement which Arnold got nearly 20 years ago was “never meant to be permanent,” and had been the reason that Arnold decided to "replace” it on Thursday (March 29) “through a less-invasive catheter valve replacement." Daniel added that an open-heart surgery team was standing by in case a complication arises during the procedure.

He stated that it was a common precaution which is usually taken in order to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly.

When the procedure did see few complications, the team was already prepared and stepped in to take control. "Governor Schwarzeneggers’ pulmonic valve was successfully replaced and his is currently recovering from the surgery and is in stable condition,” Daniel told People. He also added that the “entire medical team for their tireless efforts.”

The actor underwent surgery for a catheter valve replacement on Thursday (March 29) at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Throughout his life, Arnold has had quite a few surgeries done. In one of the interviews, Arnold confessed that he had not informed his wife about his 1997 aortic valve replacement surgery and instead pretended he had merely gone on vacation.