The Bachelor alum Ben Higgins has revealed why he needed a major knee surgery and shared an update on his recovery, admitting he "does not feel good" as he continues to heal.
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Ben, 32, went under the knife on Tuesday for his knee and made it clear on Wednesday that Day 2 of recovery has been much more difficult than the first day.
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"Reporting live from the couch. Day 2 is going well. A lot of pain," Ben told his followers Wednesday in his Instagram Stories.
"They had to do a little bit more to my knee than they thought. I had this infection-type thing inside that was eating away at some of the knee."
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Ben went on to reveal, "MCL was close to being completely torn, but they were nice enough to put 12 stitches in it, to try to keep my MCL. My ACL is replaced and my meniscus was shaved down. It does not feel good today."
Ben said he's "trying my best" to keep his spirits up and has been "watching some TV" as he rests.
"[I'm] taking a lot of your advice from when I asked a couple of weeks ago what shows to watch. Thank you to all those who have been thinking about me and will continue [to]," Ben said.
"It's not a crazy big-deal surgery, but it is a big surgery. So your prayers and your thoughts, I'm super appreciative. I'll be back soon and maybe run a marathon, who knows!" Ben concluded.
There has definitely been a shift in Ben's attitude considering Ben had gushed on Instagram about how he was "absolutely thriving" after the procedure on Tuesday.
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"Absolutely thriving. Dinner and dessert," the Season 20 The Bachelor star captioned an Instagram photo from his hospital bed as he snacked on Goldfish and animal crackers but appeared a big groggy.
"Update number 1: thanks for thinking of me today! ACL replaced, MCL was worse than expected so it had to be fully repaired and meniscus is as bouncy and cushion like as ever!"
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Ben's fiancee Jessica Clarke appears to be taking care of her man. She first revealed the news of Ben's surgery when she asked her Instagram followers to "say a little prayer for my bean" earlier that day.
"He's all prepped for an ACL, MCL and meniscus repair," Jessica wrote in her Instagram Story.
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Ben took to his own Instagram Stories hours later and reposted Jessica's message as well as an update: "Out of surgery! All went well!"
Ben's procedure took place about two weeks after Jessica celebrated at her bachelorette party.
Ben gushed of his bride-to-be on Instagram on August 20, "Kiss your single days goodbye @jessclarke_ because I'm putting a ring on that finger and we ain't ever taking it off! Happy #bachelorette weekend you beautiful gift to this earth you!"
Jessica replied, "I'm the luckiest girl in the world."
Ben appears to be looking forward to his November 2021 wedding after suffering a "breakdown" in July over having a lack of inspiration and vision for his future that resulted in him soul-searching, relying on family and spending quality time in his hometown of Indiana.
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Ben has said Jessica is his biggest supporter and most healthy critic.
After competing for Kaitlyn's heart on The Bachelorette's eleventh season, Ben starred on The Bachelor and proposed marriage to his winner, Lauren Bushnell, during the Season 20 finale that aired in March 2016.
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Once Ben's The Bachelor season wrapped, he and Lauren starred on a Bachelor spinoff called Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After? on Freeform. The pair, however, split not long after in May 2017.
Following his breakup with Lauren, Ben also appeared on The Bachelor: Winter Games, which aired on ABC in 2018.
Ben didn't appear to have a serious relationship until he met Jess, with whom he went Instagram official in January 2019 one month after meeting.
Ben and Jess got engaged in March 2020 and then purchased their first home together in Denver, CO, where Ben has been living for years, in December. The pair won't move in together, however, until after they wed given they've decided to abstain from sex until marriage.
Ben and Jess initially planned to wed in 2020 but pushed back their nuptials to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As far as his personal goals for the future go, Ben previously revealed in June 2020 that he'd like to start a family within a few years and probably adopt at least one child.
For Lauren's part, the Season 20 The Bachelor alum is married with one child, Dutton Walker, to country singer Chris Lane.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
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