WASHINGTON -- Reform Party presidential hopeful Pat Buchanan will be off the campaign trail through Labor Day weekend while he recovers from gallstone surgery.

Buchanan underwent an operation Aug. 23 to remove gallstones. It was his second surgery for the condition in as many weeks.

Buchanan had his gallbladder removed Aug. 17 after experiencing sharp abdominal pains. While recovering at home, he awoke last Wednesday with sharp stomach pains and was taken to Washington Hospital Center, said spokesman Brian Doherty.

Doctors discovered a gallstone they had missed during the first procedure and performed the second surgery. Buchanan, who was released Saturday, was recovering at home in northern Virginia and resting up for a "grueling general election campaign."

"He has got a really tough, grueling general election campaign," Doherty said. "We want to make sure he is tough as nails."