LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips had kidney surgery eight times during his journey to victory, his father revealed after Wednesday's finale. And he's not done with the doctors just yet.
Phillips was plagued by kidney stones as he strummed and sang his way to the "Idol" title, though his chronic health issues nearly knocked him out of the running.
His many trips under the knife over the course of the competition enabled him to stick it out and clinch the win, but he's gearing up for yet another operation in coming days - this one to reconstruct his kidneys.
"I've been sick this whole show," Phillips admitted to Kelly Ripa during a call-in chat on Thursday's "Live with Kelly," adding that he was "getting prepared" to have the new surgery soon. "I'm ready to feel better, feel like myself," he said.
Philips Sr. told People that his son did his best throughout the season despite the eight surgeries but clearly hadn't been able to give 100 percent.
He said it would take "two to four weeks" for him to recover before heading out on the "Idols Live" tour. "He's healthy, he's good," his dad said. "He's going to have some fun."