Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was awake and recovering from hip surgery on Friday, which his doctor said went off without a hitch.

"The surgery went without complications, the president is awake, going to post-anesthesia recovery," the doctor Roberto Kalil Filho told a news conference.

Lula had said prior to the operation that he had been reluctant to interrupt his global diplomatic travels and undergo the surgery, but hoped the operation would put a spring in his step -- and boost his mood.

His doctor said the surgery lasted about an hour, and that the president would be able to leave the hospital "Monday, or the latest Tuesday."

After the hip replacement, the doctors "took advantage of Lula's good response to anesthesia" to perform a cosmetic surgery on his eyelids.

Lula, who turns 78 next month, has maintained a busy schedule of foreign trips since taking office in January.

The veteran leftist politician postponed the operation as long as he could, admitting he did not like the idea of looking feeble.