Phillip Phillips leaves hospital after surgery

Jason Redmond / Reuters

By Randee Dawn

"American Idol's" Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips was released from the hospital Monday following major surgery for his kidney stones, according to E! Online.

But that wasn't the only health-endangering element Phillips had to deal with: According to TMZ, a stent used in his kidney had become embedded and had to be removed with a laser.

The 21-year-old singer spent almost seven hours in surgery last Wednesday having the "massive kidney stones" removed that had proved problematic during his?"Idol" competition days, said The Hollywood Reporter.?During the season's run, Phillips was operated on eight times to treat the buildup of the stones, which THR said were caused by a congenital condition that "rendered his right kidney largely ineffective." A stent had been put in place temporarily, but then also caused problems when he was being operated on.

Phillips was crowned the Season 11 victor on May 23.

Doctors told TMZ that the surgery was successful, and the site reported that Phillips is recovering in the home of an "Idol" executive. He's still planning to be able to go on the 45-date "American Idol" tour, which launches on July 6 in Detroit.

Phillips told TMZ, "If I can sing with all those kidney stones in me, I can make the first date."

Will you go check out the "Idol" tour this summer? Tell us on our Facebook page!

Related content:

More in The Clicker:

trayvon martin 911 call kiribati vernal equinox mr rogers jamie lee curtis spring equinox audacious