Buddy Valastro told the news he would have another operation later this year to repair his grip and straighten his finger

After having his arm bruised in a horrific accident at his home bowling alley, the Cake Boss star underwent five reconstructive surgeries on his arm – the last of which he experienced just a month before filming the third series began.

"Before [the surgery], there was nothing I could do," he told PEOPLE. "I can't bake. I really can't squeeze the bag. My fingers are so stiff I can't even bend them.

Fortunately, this latest surgery is a "game-changer," and Valastro can move his arms more efficiently and clench his fists.

"It's scary because I don't know if I can compete," said Valastro, who recently collaborated with Kinetic Sand on a new video. "Yeah, I can use my brain to come up with a cake or an idea or do something. But thank God we did it, and it's fantastic.

For Valastro, being crowned the champion in a food network event is not a top priority.

"To be honest, this season is not about winning or losing. To be able to come back and do my job is a win. I don't care about winning them or beating Duff. I wanted to say, 'Hey, look, I can still do this at this level."

And that's what he did. Valastro's skill combined with his unwavering vision - a life-size dragon cake that ultimately beat Duff Goldman in the final. While making "one of the craziest cakes" is a feat for a master baker, he wants to complete one culinary task to prove he's regained his strength: opening a lobster tail.

"It's like a hand gesture where you have to use your finger to open it," he says of the live-action.

Valastro told PEOPLE that he has regained 90% of his strength and said he would have another operation later this year to repair his grip and straighten his fingers.