Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew heads home after prostate surgery

WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew had successful outpatient surgery on Tuesday but remained at a New York area hospital overnight because of a low-grade fever, a Treasury Department spokeswoman said.

Lew, 58, underwent the procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate. The plan was for him to recuperate at his New York home for the rest of this week before returning to his normal schedule.

The surgery at an unnamed hospital went well, and Lew was resting comfortably after the procedure, Treasury spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth Earnest said Tuesday afternoon.

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However, he developed a low-grade fever and his doctor recommended he stay overnight for observation, Earnest said late Tuesday.

[Updated, 8:45 a.m. PST March 26: Lew was discharged from the hospital Wednesday morning and was recuperating at home, Earnest said.

“He is in good spirits, talking with staff and looks forward to being back in the office next week,” she said.]

Lew is one of President Obama’s top advisors. He became Treasury secretary in February 2013 after serving as White House chief of staff.

Lew has been a key player in the administration’s push to impose economic sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea. The Treasury Department administers and enforces such sanctions.