April 1, 2010 14:49

Lightspeed Champion has emergency surgery to beat throat infection

'It's been a truly strange, strange week,' Dev Hynes admits

Photo Gallery: Lightspeed Champion

Lightspeed Champion has been forced to undergo throat surgery to prevent a blood infection.

Writing on his blog at Lightspeedchampion.com, the singer – real name Dev Hynes – stated that he began experiencing problems with swelling around his face and neck earlier this week (beginning March 29), and that his gums were bleeding and infected.

Despite trying to persevere and ride out the pain, he eventually took himself to hospital in Los Angeles, where doctors told him the problem related to an earlier infection.

"A couple years ago I had a tooth infection, which then whilst on tour in Europe spread and turned into a blood infection, leaving me in a wheelchair and on crutches for some time, that's how bad it was," Hynes explained. "Well guess what kids? Correct, it was making a comeback. They said the only way to fix this is to have emergency surgery."

He added, "The infection's core is at the back of the right side of my throat deep in my gums, it has to go before it wreaks havoc on my body again. They hack away at my gums, and then tear out four teeth, all from that same region. It took quite some time, especially as a couple of teeth apparently did not want to leave."

Hynes said he is now recovering, though he is still in considerable pain and is unable to spit.

Video: Lightspeed Champion at Benicassim '08

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