BRASILIA, Brazil: Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will undergo hip surgery on Friday, saying he had been reluctant to interrupt his international diplomatic travels but hopes the operation will put a spring in his step — and boost his mood.
Lula, who turns 78 in October, has maintained a busy schedule of foreign visits since taking office in January.
The veteran leftist president postponed the surgery as long as he could, admitting he did not like the idea of looking weak, AFP reported.
The president said in July that he was like the footballer who does not want to tell the coach he has pain so as not to be benched.
Lula finally decided to get the hip replacement after admitting the pain from his osteoarthritis was putting him in a bad mood and he wanted to stay in a good mood.
President hopeful to work normally
The president has said he will be able to “work normally” during several weeks of convalescence in Brasilia before attending a United Nations (UN) climate meeting in the United Arab Emirates in November.
This week, the president said he will possibly need a walker to get around at first but that on the advice of his official photographer, he will not be seen with it in public.
