ST. PAUL  — Gov. Mark Dayton returned home Wednesday after an unexpectedly long hospitalization following back surgeries.

Dayton limped noticeably as he walked into the governor’s residence in St. Paul. In brief remarks to reporters, he said he was glad to be home, and was looking forward to seeing holiday lights, his dogs and his two grandsons.

The 71-year-old governor paused to catch his breath a couple of times, but when asked how he felt, said “I feel good.”

He said earlier that he suffered some lung damage from post-surgical complications from the back surgeries.