The American singer and actress Selena Gomez has revealed she has had a kidney transplant.

The 25-year-old star, who suffers from Lupus, was donated a kidney by her friend Francia Raisa.

Ms Gomez revealed she had the surgery in an Instagram post, sharing a picture both herself and her friend in a hospital bed.

She told fans she was 'lying low' for the summer, and had not been in a position to promote her new music.

She wrote: "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.

"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’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/ -by grace through faith

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

She added: "I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis." 

Lupus is a disease that affects the body's immune system, and can lead to a wide variety of symptoms 

Ms Gomez - known for the TV show Wizards of Waverly Place and films such as Spring Breakers - had previously revealed she had received chemotherapy treatment for the condition.

Ms Raisa is also an actress, having enjoyed major roles in US TV shows such as The Secret Life of the American Teenager.