In a post which has amassed more than a quarter of a million likes in mere minutes, Selena Gomez has revealed she recently underwent a kidney transplant.

The Same Old Love singer reached out to her fans after acknowledging that she had been less active on social media in recent months than they had come to expect.

“I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of,” she began.

Alongside a photo she uploaded of herself in a hospital bed, the 25-year-old continued: “So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health.”

 

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT

“I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery.”

Selena explained that her kidney donor came in the shape of her dear friend Francia Raisa, who is pictured in the poignant photograph with Selena.

Paying tribute to Francia, Selena wrote: “And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa.”

“She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made.”

Selena's fans and followers have been quick to respond to the singer's post, and wished her well in the recovery process.