Aretha Franklin Hails Surgery as Success

Singers Aretha Franklin, left, and Bebe Winans perform onstage during the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2008, in Los Angeles.

/ Kevin Winter/Getty Images

DETROIT (CBS/AP) Aretha Franklin remains hospitalized but she says her surgery was "highly successful'' and credits the positive outcome to the prayers of well-wishers.

In a statement released Thursday to The Associated Press, the Queen of Soul says: "God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country.''

PICTURES: The Queen of Soul

A cousin told the Detroit Free Press she did not know how long the singer would be in the hospital. Brenda Corbett said the medical procedure took place around 5 a.m. on Thursday in Detroit.

"She's doing really really good," Corbett was quoted in the newspaper's report.

Franklin has not disclosed the condition for which she was being treated.

Last month, the 68-year-old singer announced she was canceling all concert dates and personal appearances through May on the orders of her doctors.

[wineandrosesmusic]

Stop eating and do some exercise, you fat churchgoing pig.

[erasmus111]

I have seen her wear some hideous things. She needs to learn how to dress. I saw her all dressed up and not wearing a bra! Yikes!! They were just about down to her waist.

Someone said she had a bypass. Are you sure, or are you speculating?

[kds562]

I'm glad she is OK but to avoid another bypass and get better, she should get on a treadmill.

[Retta in Las Vegas]

God helps those who help themselves, she apparently has started to help herself to become healthier with the bypass.
I wish her the best on that.

I have spoken to those through the years who have had to deal with her outrages temper tantrums, so her next self project could be treating other's with the same respect you want from them.
She is Satins Sister from the stories I heard from local Las Vegans, NO ONE WANTS TO WAIT ON HER, SHE IS VERY VERY SCAREY!!!!!!!!

[cyclingpete]

Prayer had NOTHING to do with it Miss Franklin. Please give your God some credit with common sense. I think your God has better things to do like focus on disease, hunger, war, rape, torture, murder, etc. than some singer (Yes, I said SINGER....not a brain surgeon, scientist, humanitarian..A SINGER) who has all the money in the world to live a healthy life but CHOOSES to continue on her unhealthy lifestyle.
Her surgery was nothing life threatening. It was GASTROBYPASS. So give me a break!

[goboblue]

**MY GOD***, what an absolute MOUNTAIN of FLESH Aretha is!!! Good Lord, her CASKET would FILL 2 burial plots!

[bundye]

I pray it has something to do with her health....she has gotten very, very heavy since I saw her last. The healing you need is on the way!