Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie will miss parliament next week.
She says she's in hospital for a few days for a minor surgical procedure on her back.
"I'm looking forward to leaving hospital soon. However the doctors don't want me flying anywhere," she said in a statement.
Senator Lambie said she had contacted the Senate president's office to make arrangements to have her votes recorded.
The former soldier injured her back during an army field exercise in 1997.
In a video message posted on YouTube, the gown-clad senator said she wasn't very well, but would be doing her best to represent Tasmania from her hospital bed.
She said her heart went out to former Palmer United Party senator Glenn Lazarus, who quit the party on Friday to sit as an independent.
Senator Lambie quit PUP in November after a bitter and very public slanging matches with her leader.
"I know you're feeling it. I know things are going to be a little bit rough over the next few weeks," she said.
"Between the two of us and the other crossbenchers up there, we will be able to achieve a great deal in the future, there's no doubt about that."
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