Clinton having some surgery again

[Yaps]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=562486

I really do feel for him..

[JimChicago]

I wonder how often that collapsed lung complication develops after bypass surgery?

[geebee]

Just watched a news program on CNN that had Mr. Clinton talking about how he was feeling. He talked a good game but he looked awful - very thin and had the scared eyes of someone facing chest surgery (I've seen those eyes in my mirror).

Anyway, I wish him well. No one should have to have their chest cracked twice ever much less so close together. Although we all know it happens.

[Marge]

<<No one should have to have their chest cracked twice ever much less so close together.>>

It's not clear to me he's going to have to have his chest "cracked open." At least not in quite the same way as for a bypass or other open heart surgery. The news story said this procedure is done << either through a small incision or with a video-assisted thorascope inserted between his ribs.>>

<<I wonder how often that collapsed lung complication develops after bypass surgery?>>

I think a collapsed lung can develop fairly easily after any major surgery that occurs anywhere near the chest. I got a collapsed lung after surgery (non bypass, not OHS) years ago. They were able to stabilize me afterwards without further surgery, thank goodness, but (I didn't realize it then) it was touch and go for a while.

He has my sympathies and prayers.

I had felt all along, from the descriptions I had read of his recovery, that it was going a little slowly for a youngish man who appeared to be in otherwise pretty good health. A full month to six weeks after his surgery, I remember, he was quoted saying he got "extremely exhausted" after only a short walk.

[perkicar]

Just saw Dr Cosgrove from Cleveland Clinic on the Today show, talking about Bill Clinton's surgery. I expect he'll be on all the other shows as the morning progresses. Sounds pretty routine as far as surgery goes, but a "very rare" complication after open heart surgery. Gee whiz, Dr Lytle already mentioned it to me, so he must expect me to be pretty rare!!!! :D :D

[Ross]

I'm not buying what they say the reason is. Something more going on there then they are telling the people.

[strawberry]

Poor Bubba, as I affectionately refer to him,

He says he feels fine butyou can tell he's pausing to catch his breath in between words. If he has to have a large thoracotomy, that's no piece of cake either. I hope he feels better.

[Nancy]

Joe had the exact same surgery several years ago, a decortication to remove a pleural peel which had partially collapsed his lung. The surgeon went in between the ribs through the side, just like they spoke about in the paper this morning. It can bang you up pretty nastily inside, and the pain from lung surgery (Joe's had two) is, according to my husband, much worse than heart surgery.

So I think that all the "I feel great" (Joe didn't with a partially collapsed lung which was filled with fluid), and "I'll be playing golf right up until surgery", and "I'll be all healed up in two weeks" are over the top optimistic at best. The recovery time was perhaps a little longer than that for heart surgery, and as I said more painful.

I wish him all the very best, though. Not a nice thing to have to face, but a lung filled with fluid is bad news.

[Granbonny]

My across the road neighbor, age 67, had his surgery the same day as President clinton. He was driving at 6 weeks, once a wee,..from here to their home in south Ga. 5 hours..also walking all winter (cold) at least 2 miles a day..and last week was tilling his front yard...Looks and feels great. I agree, the former President doesn't look so good. :confused: Bonnie

[Yaps]

U.S. National - AP


Former President Clinton Out of Surgery

43 minutes ago U.S. National - AP


By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Surgeons successfully removed fluid and scar tissue from Bill Clinton (news - web sites)'s chest cavity Thursday, cleaning up minor complications from the former president's heart bypass operation of six months ago.


AP Photo


Reuters Photo
Slideshow: Bill Clinton




Clinton was "awake and resting comfortably" after four hours of surgery, said Herbert Pardes, president of New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. His wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites), and daughter Chelsea were with him and said to be pleased with the outcome.


The surgery began at 7 a.m., about two hours after Clinton arrived in an SUV at the Manhattan hospital on a brisk winter morning.


Clinton, 58, told doctors he was looking forward to getting on with his recovery. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery, which could take anywhere from three to 10 days.


Clinton underwent heart bypass surgery in September because of clogged arteries. Doctors described Thursday's operation as a low-risk procedure to relieve a complication that crops up in only a fraction of 1 percent of bypass patients.


The scar tissue was pressing down on Clinton's left lung, causing discomfort and reduced lung capacity. Dr. Joshua Sonett, one of Clinton's surgeons, said at a news conference that the combination of fluid and scar tissue had decreased Clinton's lung capacity by 25 percent before the operation.


The operation typically is done either through a small incision or with a video-assisted scope inserted between the ribs. The patient is given general anesthesia.


The Secret Service (news - web sites), police and hospital security staff conducted a sweep of the walkways and corridors as Clinton was whisked inside through a side entrance before the operation. He arrived in an SUV that pulled inside a hospital gate, providing quick access inside.


The former president had been in Florida on Wednesday at a charity golf tournament to benefit tsunami victims. He appeared relaxed, cracking jokes about his golf game and saying he wasn't worried about the surgery.


More than 1,000 people sent the 42nd president good wishes through his Web site.


Across the street from the hospital, good wishes and prayers for Clinton were offered at a restaurant named El Presidente. "I pray to God that he is well, that he comes out healthy," said manager Wilton Rafael Marte Fermin.


The Clintons asked well-wishers to make donations to the American Heart Association (news - web sites), which set up a special location for such contributions on its web site.


Since his heart surgery, Clinton has presided over the opening of his presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., and joined former President Bush (news - web sites) for a public relations campaign to help raise money for the Asian tsunami victims.


___

[Granbonny]

On CNN this afternoon..I watched and listen..and one of the doctors mentioned..Heparin therapy????Why?...I thought the only med he was on was asprin? Hubby was watching with me and I explained to him..that is what I would need..if I had to be operated on...that I would have to come off coumadin...be admitted to hospital a few days before the operation (Pray not that I would have to have one) :eek: ...........Of course, hubby looked confused :D ....Bonnie