Buenos Aires ( CNN ) -- Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner 's cancer surgery Wednesday was successful , her spokesman said . There were no complications during the 3 1/2 -hour operation to remove Fernandez 's thyroid gland , presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro said . Last week doctors said tests indicated that the papillary carcinoma detected in Fernandez 's thyroid had not spread to her lymph nodes or grown beyond the gland . The president was awake after Wednesday 's surgery and will recover in a post-operation room for 72 hours , Scoccimarro said . Hundreds of supporters waved flags and banners outside the Austral Hospital , located about 60 kilometers ( 35 miles ) from Buenos Aires . `` The truth is I was praying a lot , with all my strength , and now I feel very happy . I think the Virgin has granted a miracle , '' supporter Sofia Godoy said shortly after the spokesman 's announcement . Some said they planned to stay camped outside the hospital until the president 's release . `` We are going to wait a little more until she recuperates from everything and can come outside , '' Angel Cifo said . `` We hope to wait to see if we can say hello . '' Before the operation , Fernandez handed over power to Vice President Amado Boudou until January 24 . Fernandez , 58 , was sworn in for a second four-year term last month after she won re-election with more than 54 % of the vote . She became Argentina 's president in 2007 . Her husband , Nestor Kirchner , was president from 2003 to 2007 . He died in October 2010 . During Fernandez 's presidency , Argentina 's economy has enjoyed sustained growth of about 8 % annually . Papillary carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer and has a high survival rate , according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine . More than 95 % of adults with papillary thyroid carcinoma survive at least 10 years , according to a description on the library 's website . Treatment includes surgery , radioactive iodine and medication , the library says . During Fernandez 's surgery , doctors also likely took tissue samples from her lymph nodes to examine whether the cancer has spread , Washington-based oncologist Dr. Elmer Huerta told CNN . `` Now they are going to study them , '' Huerta said . `` That 's why it is very important that we wait for the next report , which will be in about 10 days . '' CNN 's Brian Byrnes , Javier Doberti , Patricia Janiot and Fernando del Rincon contributed to this report .
NEW : Hundreds of supporters wave flags and banners outside the hospital . Spokesman : President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner 's operation was a success . The president 's thyroid was removed after doctors detected papillary carcinoma . Fernandez has handed power temporarily to the vice president until January 24 .