Sunny Garcia is still fighting for his life in the intensive care unit (ICU) of an unspecified Portland, Oregon-area hospital.
According to his daughter Kaila Garcia, the Hawaiian surfer was submitted to a combined tracheostomy (Trach) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).
However, the surgery had some complications, and doctors were not able to do PEG.
"He's OK, and he's doing good. Surgery was kind of rough, but he made it through. He is back in his room," explained Kaila.
The Trach/PEG procedure is performed by inserting a tube into a patient's stomach through the abdominal wall.
In other words, it replaces the nose tube used for breathing and feeding and improves the comfort level of the convalescent.
Sunny's daughter said his vital signs have been holding well, and the health professionals expect everything to go "very smooth."
On April 29, the 2000 ASP World Tour champion was found unresponsive and unconscious in his home.
The 49-year-old surfer has been battling depression for at least half a decade.
Sunny's children - Kaila, Logan, and Stone - have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay the medical bills and expenses. Help the Garcia family via gofundme.com/support-for-sunny-garcia-and-family .
May 28, 2019 Update
Sunny Garcia is recovering from the trach surgery. His daughter says his "vitals are really good right now."
Kaila also confirms that he's been moving his fingers, feet, and toes slightly and that he yawns and even moves his head a little.
She is asking everyone to keep praying and send him loving energy and support.
"Visualize him fully healed, happy, and peacefully enjoying the ocean, waiting for waves and catching them, and truly feeling all the love you are sending him," said Kaila Garcia.
"Visualize him feeling and enjoying all the love there is for him in this world and especially the love you are sending him. Pray for his brain and body to be fully healed."
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com