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A noticeably slimmer Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen for the first time in a month on Tuesday in the aftermath of the scandal over his secret hospital trip to treat complications from prostate cancer surgery.

Austin, 70, appeared on a Zoom call with stakeholders about the more than $46 billion in U.S. weapons that have been sent to Ukraine since Vladimir Putin’s invasion. 

He seemed to have lost weight and looked gaunt as he sat in front of a white wall with what appeared to be a security system keypad on his left and a Department of Defense seal on the right. Small U.S. and Ukraine flags were visible. 

The defense secretary skipped over prepared remarks that would have addressed his health, according to Reuters.

A noticeably slimmer Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen for the first time in a month on Tuesday in the aftermath of the scandal over his secret hospital trip to treat complications from prostate cancer surgery

A noticeably slimmer Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen for the first time in a month on Tuesday in the aftermath of the scandal over his secret hospital trip to treat complications from prostate cancer surgery 

‘I urge this group to dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air defense systems and interceptors,’ Austin said in his opening remarks. 

Austin’s appearl to 50 other countries on the call to give money to the Ukraine came as the administration is waiting for Congress to pass a budget and potentially approve more money for Ukraine´s fight.

Until then the U.S. is looking to its allies to continue the funding fight.

Austin had surgery on December 22 for prostate cancer and left the hospital the next day. 

He returned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1st but didn’t tell President Joe Biden of his whereabouts until Jan. 4th. 

Austin didn’t disclose the cause of his surgery – his prostate cancer – until Jan. 9th after facing days of questions about his hospitalization. Biden learned about it the same day as the general public.

The defense secretary was released from the hospital on Monday after 15 days of recovery.

His complications included ‘nausea with severe abdominal, leg and hip pain.’ The early diagnosis was a urinary tract infection but further examination showed Austin had a fluid build up in his abdomen that was impairing the function of his small intestines. 

Democrats and Republicans alike blasted Austin for the secrecy. Some called for his resignation. 

Biden stood by his defense secretary but did admonish him for a lapse in judgement. 

The White House is conducting a review of the matter. Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients sent a memo to Cabinet secretaries, ording them to keep the White House informed when they may not be able to perform their duties.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, was hospitalized on January 1 and released on January 15th. He is pictured December 20 in this most recent pic

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, was hospitalized on January 1 and released on January 15th. He is pictured December 20 in this most recent pic 

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin participated in a zoom meeting on Ukraine

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin participated in a zoom meeting on Ukraine

Secretary Austin was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Secretary Austin was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

The Pentagon’s inspecter general also is investigating the mishandling of  Austin’s secret hospitalization.

Eight in ten men and six in ten black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. The risk grows for men as they age. It is the most common cancer among men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 5-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer in the United States is 97%. 

Austin will work from home as his recovery continues. 

He will have to do physical therapy and regular follow ups but is expected to make a full recovery, his doctors said. He needs no further treatment for his cancer.

‘I’m grateful for the excellent care I received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and want to thank the outstanding doctors and nursing staff for their professionalism and superb support,’ Austin said in a statement. 

‘Now, as I continue to recuperate and perform my duties from home, I’m eager to fully recover and return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon,’ he said. 

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This post first appeared on Daily mail