Aaron Rodgers took the first step in his return to football after tearing his Achilles … he says he had successful surgery, posting an update from his hospital bed!!!

The New York Jets star quarterback shared a positive injury update Thursday on social media, saying he went under the knife Wednesday … reporting the procedure “went great.”

Aaron’s thanking Dr. Neal ElAttrache for “starting me on the road to recovery.” Aaron and Neal have a history together, and the doc is renowned in the sports world, operating on star athletes in both football and baseball.

The good news for Jets fans … Aaron’s smiling in his hospital gown, so he seems to be feeling better after initially saying he was “heartbroken” after suffering a season-ending injury just 4 plays into his Jets career.