Update: Scuba Steve is out of surgery and 'did fine,' best friend posts

Friends and family took to Facebook on Tuesday to let South Mississippi know Steve Johnson successfully made it through surgery to remove tumors associated with colorectal cancer.

On Monday, Johnson -- better known as Coast clothier Scuba Steve -- posted a mirror selfie to Facebook, letting his friends list know he was preparing for Tuesday's surgery -- the first time he would go under the knife -- to remove lymph nodes, surrounding tissue and a tumor attached to his prostate.

"I love you all so so very much," he posted. All he could eat was chicken broth. And all he could drink was water. He was wearing a hat signed by supporters in Long Beach over the weekend. The photo got nearly 3,000 likes in 14 hours. There were more than 771 comments. South Mississippians are thinking about him, praying for him and waiting to hear how his surgery went.

"I kind of accepted it," he said. "I chose to be positive about it and hopefully inspire people. This is my chance to become a survivor, so that's what we'll do. And leave it to God."

He was taken into surgery just after 7 a.m.

One of Johnson's best friends, Kerry Parks, posted to Facebook this afternoon: "Surgeon said 'Steve did perfectly fine.' Getting ready to go see him shortly. Will keep everyone posted. It's amazing the support he has, I have had his phone in my pocket and it is overheating! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!"

"I kind of accepted it," he said. "I chose to be positive about it and hopefully inspire people. This is my chance to become a survivor, so that's what we'll do. And leave it to God."

One thing is clear -- South Mississippi loves Scuba Steve.

Johnson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in July and underwent radiation therapy to shrink the tumor that had spread to his lymph nodes. Late last month, a checkup showed that although the tumors had shrunk, they were still there and posed a threat severe enough for Johnson to elect to have them surgically removed.

He told the Sun Herald he was stunned by the news at first -- shocked and scared.

"I kind of accepted it," he said. "I chose to be positive about it and hopefully inspire people. This is my chance to become a survivor, so that's what we'll do. And leave it to God."

Johnson will be surrounded by his mom, Karen Johnson, grandparents, other family members and three best friends whom he calls brothers -- Parks, Billy Bankester and Tan Nguyen.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Update: Scuba Steve is out of surgery and 'did fine,' best friend posts ."