'American Idol' Winner Phillip Phillips to Undergo Surgery Tuesday

9:32 PM PDT 5/26/2012 by Aaron Couch

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The 21-year-old singer has had eight procedures this year to treat a kidney stone buildup.

Michael Becker/FOX

American Idol champion Phillip Phillips may have won his title just in time.

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The 21-year-old singer will undergo surgery Tuesday to address a painful buildup of kidney stones, TMZ reports.

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Doctors apparently urged Phillips to undergo the surgery prior to end of the Idol season, but he refused because it likely would have ended his run at the title.

Phillips’ recovery may last up to six weeks, during which he and his family will reportedly stay in the home of an Idol producer.

The singer has undergone eight surgeries since the Idol season began in January. Earlier this week, his father said the competition had been “grueling,” and Phillips himself addressed his health issues Thursday during an appearance on NBC’s The Tonight Show.

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“It’s been tough,” Phillips said. “You've got to go after your dream if you want it bad enough. I had a lot of great doctors and a lot of great people around me to help push me through.”

Phillips also said the surgery would not affect his participation in the Idols Live Tour, which begins July 6 in Detroit.

Watch The Tonight Show clip below.