Selena Gomez had fans rushing to support her as 2018 photos marked her first bikini-clad outing since her 2017 kidney transplant. The 32-year-old singer, who suffers from the autoimmune condition Lupus, underwent the life-saving procedure thanks to donor friend Francia Raisa. Looking happy as she flaunted her stunning figure in a mismatched swimsuit while in Sydney, Australia, Selena soaked up rays from a yacht, appearing relaxed with many of the photos showing her smiling.

Selena Gomez Stuns In First Bikini Photos After Surgery

In 2020, a user on X (formerly Twitter) reposted the photos, writing: “People(beliebers) use these pictures to body shame her but I’m posting these because this was the first time she’s worn a bikini since her surgery and she’s beyond stunning.”

Showing off her healthy curves in a plunging red bikini top and black bottoms, Selena highlighted her hourglass waistline and makeup-free face, but it was her scar making the headlines as she showed the aftermath of her surgery.

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With some photos showing the Rare Beauty standing up, the cameras caught a clear view of a notable scar on her thigh — while the initial incision was performed on Selena’s lower abdomen, a complication led to a further procedure leaving her with a second leg scar. Wearing her hair tied back and rocking hoop earrings, the “Wolves” hitmaker looked in fighting form, although she has revealed that the process and ongoing battles with Lupus are anything but easygoing.

Donor Admits ‘She Could Have Died’

Following the surgery, friend Francia spoke out, telling W Magazine:

“My kidney was very active, and when it turned, I broke an artery. They had to take her into emergency surgery and get a vein from her leg and build a new artery to keep my kidney in place. She could have died.” Of keeping the procedure under wraps until after the surgery, she added: “We didn’t want to tell anybody because recovery was very hard for us, and we went through a depression at the time.”

Selena has made headlines for health reasons since. Earlier this year, she opened up on social media to reveal that the medication she takes to manage her Lupus is behind her weight fluctuations.

Hospital Photo After Transplant Surgery

The above photo is still live on Selena’s Instagram feed. Holding hands with her donor as the two lay in their hospital beds, Selena showed off the surgery’s success, saying that the transplant was “what I needed to do for my overall health.” The post now sits at over 10 million likes. Celebrity likes were left by mogul Kim Kardashian, actress Blake Lively, and singer Demi Lovato.