Koch Recovering from Heart Surgery
The 84-year-old mayor is doing as well as expected after a challenging open heart procedure
Friday, Jun 19, 2009 | Updated 4:57 PM EDT
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Former New York mayor Ed Koch was in good spirits Friday morning ahead of his scheduled heart surgery.
Former Mayor Ed Koch is recovering after surgery to replace a heart valve.
A spokesman says the 84-year-old mayor is doing as well as expected after a challenging open heart procedure at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Koch's surgeon was Dr. Craig Smith, who performed a bypass on former President Bill Clinton in 2004..
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the former three-term mayor is confident and in "excellent" spirits." Bloomberg said Koch is looking forward to a quick recovery and getting out of the hospital.
The more than five-hour procedure is a common surgery that often leaves patients more active afterward than they were before.
Koch suffered a heart attack in 1999. That's when he famously asked, "How'm I doing?"
Koch, who served as mayor of New York City from 1978-1989, is expected to take a week to recover, followed by three weeks of rehab.
