Barbara Bush resting after ulcer surgery

HOUSTON – Former first lady Barbara Bush was resting and in good spirits in a Houston hospital Wednesday morning after surgery for a perforated ulcer, a family spokesman said.

Bush, who was visiting with family members, probably will remain in Methodist Hospital until next week, family spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement.

The laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure involving a small incision in the abdomen, was Tuesday night. Surgeons cleansed her abdominal area and closed a 1-centimeter hole caused by the ulcer, McGrath said.

Bush went to the hospital as a precaution Tuesday night after experiencing some abdominal pains. Former President George H.W. Bush was with her.

“She’s feeling great, and he is feeling very good,” said Jim Appleby, a spokesman for the Office of George Bush. “The surgery went just fine and she is recovering nicely.”