For those asking why Zsa Zsa is not joining other singers in ABS-CBN's Sunday noontime show "ASAP," she told the Manila Bulletin that she is recuperating from a successful major operation.

In an exclusive interview, the singer-actress tells Gossip Girl that it's not a kidney transplant. “It’s ROBOTIC LEFT URETERIC REIMPLANTATION & INSERTION OF LEFT DJ STENT. I don't have a rare kidney disease. It's not true. I was just born structurally different.”

Yes, you read big words. I asked the Kapamilya singer-actress to explain this to me like I was a six year old. “I was born with an abnormally large left ureter. Ureters are thin tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder. My right ureter is about 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter which is normal. It is my left ureter which is the mega ureter, about the size of a sausage. It has bothered me for as long as I can remember. I have had endless battles with UTI (urinary tract infection) and taking oral antibiotics became routine.”

Then I butted in telling the actress that I remember she had urethra surgery after filming our movie "ZsaZsa Zaturnah" in 2007. The title role player agreed with me. “Yes Giselle! That was my first surgery to correct this problem. That was 17 years ago. Right after filming Zsa Zsa Zaturnah in 2007, I underwent open surgery to finally correct my left ureter. It was tapered and reinserted in my bladder. Can you imagine how long I endured this pain that was bothering me since I was a kid. They had no proper machines in the Philippines while I was growing up and doctors only saw my real problem in 2007! Last year, the infection I was having was harder to cure. I became resistant to most antibiotics and tests showed that I was already having a (pee) reflux and the function of my left kidney was so much lower than my usual. I went to the US in January but was advised not to have surgery. I was disappointed because I didn't know what to do about my problem. Six months later, the infections started again and it took three weeks for the low dose of antibiotics to kick in. I was very thankful to our Ate Alice Eduardo because she referred me to an office in Manila who coordinates with experts in urology at Mt. Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. Dr Shirley Bang of the Advanced Urology Department of the hospital told me they could do laparoscopic surgery to correct my problem which is called- a ROBOTIC LEFT URETERIC REIMPLANTATION & INSERTION OF LEFT DJ STENT.”

ZsaZsa had always been a strong woman. During the shooting of our movie ZsaZsa Zaturnah, the actress would often accompany her former husband Dolphy to the hospital to do procedures and now it was her turn. 

I asked her how she mentally prepared for this battle. ZsaZsa answers, “It’s not easy to go through a major surgery but aside from being physically ready for it, you have to mentally prepare yourself  so that your healing process becomes faster. Before surgery, it’s normal for anxiety to kick in and you’d have many questions about what may happen. Or you may start to envision negative outcomes, and it would be normal to cry about it once In a while. But I find it important not to let negative thoughts rule your head. When negative thoughts enter my head, I tell myself to stop and remind myself that it’s anxiety.  So Instead, I remind myself of all the positive effects the surgery will bring. And that helps tremendously. Family is also very essential. They are a huge part of my healing journey as they helped me get through a very difficult time in my life. My daughters are God-sent and my lifetime partner Conrad is a selfless act. I can't begin to tell you how busy this man is. But he dropped everything- literally everything to be by my side. And for that I am eternally grateful. I have found my life partner indeed. I thank God for him! He is my champion and my rock . Finally, I want to thank Jesus. He continues to give me many chances in life. And I praise Him for being merciful. I will be back in Singapore by the end of September to have my DJ Stent removed. Then I can go back to moving normally-playing badminton and performing on stage, promoting my new song on Spotify ‘Pag Tinadhana' and my 40^th Anniversary Concert on Nov. 29. I just want to tell you all that I love you and wish to thank those who've said prayers for my surgery.”