There’s a reason we named Giuliana Rancic “Most Inspirational” in our list of 2011 celebrity superlatives: A mere two weeks after undergoing a successful double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in her battle against breast cancer, she’s in high spirits and has headed back to work!

Giuliana made her first post-surgery appearance on E! News last night. She began with a heartfelt thank you to her supporters throughout her ordeal; but then, ever the consummate professional, she launched right into the latest celeb news, starting with congratulating Matthew both McConaughey and John Legend on their Christmas engagements. Catch the video here:

Read Giuliana Rancic to Jersey Shore: 2011 Celebrity Superlatives, Part 2!

Giuliana told E!, “It feels great to be back at work. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to return to E! News this week or after the new year. The last thing I wanted to do was rush my recovery.” Happily, though, she was able to return sooner, rather than later. “I’ve been feeling better every single day since surgery,” she went on to say, “and this weekend my doctors gave me the green light to get back to work. Even though I moved a tad slower than usual today, everyone welcomed me back with open arms and it was a wonderful homecoming.”

Welcome back, Giuliana! We missed you!

Lucia Peters is BettyConfidential's associate editor.