SINGAPORE - Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong, who underwent successful surgery on Saturday for prostate cancer, said on Monday that he was recovering well and thanked his well-wishers.

Mr Goh said in a post on his Facebook that he was encouraged and cheered up by the concern and kind thoughts of his well-wishers.

"Thank you and all other well-wishers for your concern and kind thoughts. They encouraged and cheered me up. I am recovering well.

"Only discomfort is I have not "broken wind" yet and hence not allowed food or fluids other than small sips of water. This is to prevent vomiting and potential choking caused by the residual effect of GA.

"The doctors and nurses are wonderful. For the next few days I will have to wear a urine bag but that is a minor inconvenience compared with the knowledge that the cancerous prostate has been removed. Thanks, once again," Mr Goh said in his post.

A statement from Mr Goh's press secretary on Saturday evening said the 73-year-old, who was prime minister from 1990 to 2004, had successful surgery.

His doctor, Dr Sim Hong Gee, senior consultant urologist in Gleneagles Hospital and visiting consultant at Singapore General Hospital, said Mr Goh is expected to make a full recovery as the cancer was localised and detected early. He will remain at SGH for a few days for observation.