Clinton surgery like removing skin from onion

Is it a routine procedure?
This is a low-risk surgery. It’s not like the heart bypass operation where they actually have to stop his heart and put him on a machine that takes over the oxygenation of the blood. But all operations are risky, particularly operations that involve anesthesia.

There’s always the possibility that the anesthesia could cause side effects or problems with bleeding. Everything is relative. It’s always best not to have surgery but he’s got to have it.

Clinton has been very active since his initial bypass surgery. Could he have done something to cause the complication?
No. It all seems like it’s a result of something that happened during the surgery. There’s nothing that he could have done to aggravate this. He never felt particularly perfect or good after the surgery. He didn’t seem to be recovering. Everyone noticed that he looked skinny and gaunt.

Should patients who have bypass surgery be more aware of the possibilities of this complication?
No. It’s such a rare thing that his doctor said he didn’t discuss it with Clinton. Maybe he should have. Dr. Craig Smith [chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center] who did the initial surgery said he’s done 6,000 bypasses in his career and this is about the tenth time this has happened. This seems to be about the rate that it occurs after bypass surgery.

What will Clinton's recovery be like and will he have any limitations after the surgery on what he can do?
He should have absolutely none if he continues to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Many people have lived for many decades after heart bypass surgery and he should certainly. He seems healthy in every other way.

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