ALBANY, N.Y. —  Former New York Gov. George Pataki was in stable condition Thursday hours after abdominal surgery.

Pataki spokesman David Catalfamo said the three-term governor had a blockage in his intestines relieved earlier in the day and is expected to make a full recovery.

Pataki, 62, practices law for a New York City firm. He had two abdominal surgeries in 2006, his last year as governor.

In Washington to make a speech this week, Pataki suffered acute abdominal pain and checked himself into a local hospital Wednesday morning, Catalfamo said. After talking with his doctors at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, the governor returned to New York for surgery there.

"This morning doctors performed surgery to alleviate an intestinal blockage," Catalfamo said. "The surgery was uneventful and performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. "The governor is in stable condition and is currently recovering with his family."