Former first lady Barbara Bush is recovering today in a Houston hospital after undergoing surgery to correct a perforated ulcer, a family spokesman said.

Bush, 83, was admitted to the Methodist Hospital about 6 p.m. Tuesday with abdominal pains and underwent laparoscopic surgery Tuesday night, family spokesman Jim Appleby said this morning.

Surgeons cleansed Bush's abdominal area, then patched and closed a one-centimeter hole in her stomach that was caused by the ulcer. She is expected to be discharged from the hospital next week.

Appleby said the wife of former President George H.W. Bush and mother of current President George W. Bush was resting comfortably and visiting with family. The former president was with her at the hospital.

The Bushes have a home in Houston in addition to their summer residence in Kennebunkport.

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