In an exclusive interview with NY1, former Mayor Ed Koch said that his gallbladder surgery Monday was successful, and that he hopes to be ending his month-long hospital stay this weekend.

Speaking by phone to NY1 political anchor Dominic Carter, Koch described himself as “weak as a dog, a little dog. But I will build myself up now.”

The former three-term mayor also spoke in detail for the first time about his quadruple bypass surgery last month and his many visitors who have wished him well. Koch said he has received phone calls from former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Barack Obama.

“The president said, ‘I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts.’ And I said, ‘Mr. President, as a result of your call, I'm sure they're going to upgrade me tonight,'" Koch said.

Peppering his phone call with characteristic good humor, the mayor was also reflective about his surgery on June 19 to repair damage to his aortic valve.

“I believe in God and I believe if he wants me, he'll take me. I said this to [Edward] Cardinal Egan, who was nice enough to call me. I said, ‘If God wants me for some legal advice, I'm happy to come,’” Koch said.

“God has given everybody a passage through life. He's been especially nice to me and I'm very grateful. I have no regrets. The greatest mark you can make on life is to improve the lives of your fellow citizens. I think I have, to some respect," Koch said.

The 84-year-old former mayor has been in the hospital since mid-June.