Jim Kelly released from hospital after successful follow-up surgery to jaw

Zach Pereles


Former Bills star quarterback Jim Kelly took another step in the right direction on his road to recovery from cancer and was released from the hospital on Friday following successful follow-up surgery to his upper jaw, per the Buffalo News.

Kelly has had multiple bouts with cancer since 2013

Kelly, 58, first announced he had cancer in June 2013 when he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his jaw. He underwent surgery days after the announcement and was cancer-free weeks after the procedure. But in March 2014, a recurrence emerged, and Kelly once again underwent treatment, this time with radiation and chemotherapy. By August of the same year, doctors said he was healthy once again.

Kelly announced that cancer returned for a third time in March 2018. On March 28, Kelly underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove the cancer and reconstruct part of his jaw.

The surgery is a big step in the right direction

This most recent surgery featured five implants being put into the new bone in Kelly’s upper jaw.

“Mr. Kelly left the hospital after this second stage procedure to help restore his dentition to the reconstructed upper jaw,” said Dr. Mark Urken, Head and Neck Surgeon at Mount Sinai West in New York City.

Kelly’s wife, Jill, took to Instagram to share an update.

Never stop holding hands. In sickness and in health. Out of surgery and in recovery. Still in a lot of pain, but everything went well. Thank GOD! No teeth yet, but 5 implants were inserted into the new bone in Jim’s upper jaw. More technical than I can explain… What matters most is what’s happening in this picture. Never take it for granted! Glory to God!

A post shared by Jill Kelly (@jillmkelly) on Jun 21, 2018 at 12:02pm PDT

Jill Kelly also released the following statement:

“Jim has some swelling and healing that needs the take place after this recent procedure,” she said. “We are very thankful for the team of Mount Sinai doctors taking care of Jim. We appreciate the continued prayer and support and trust God with everything.”

Kelly will receive the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYs on July 11

Kelly, who will need more surgery to get permanent dentures in September, was selected as the ESPY’s Jimmy V Award winner a few weeks ago. The show is on July 11.

Kelly isn’t letting this surgery keep him down in the short or long run, either. His football camp started Sunday, and he is in attendance.

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Jim Kelly continues to make progress in his recover from cancer. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
Jim Kelly continues to make progress in his recover from cancer. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)