Home > Adam's Blog > Patient Stories > Don’t Miss Barbara Walters’ Heart Surgery Special: A Matter of Life & Death!

Don’t Miss Barbara Walters’ Heart Surgery Special: A Matter of Life & Death!

By Adam Pick on February 4, 2011

Thanks to Becky, I just learned that Barbara Walters is hosting a special program about heart surgery titled, “A Matter of Life & Death”. The show will air on ABC at 10pm (EST), Friday, February 4.

Robin Williams and Barbara Walters After Heart Surgery
Robin Williams & Barbara Walters – Heart Valve Surgery Patients

Guests scheduled to appear on the show include:

Former President Bill Clinton had a coronary artery bypass graft procedure (CABG).
Actor / Comedian Robin Williams had aortic and mitral valve surgery.
TV host David Letterman had a CABG.
TV host Regis Philbin had a CABG.
TV host Charlie Rose had heart valve surgery.

If you didn’t know, Barbara Walters had aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery last May. To learn more about AVR, click here.

Needless to say, our DVR is already set to record this very special show!!!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Ricky (a female) says on February 4th, 2011 at 7:30 pm

They should have invited YOU!!!!

Maxie Baldwin says on February 5th, 2011 at 1:18 am

Dear Adam,
I saw the special “A Matter of Life and Death.” It reminded me of my own surgery 2/23/2009. I showed promise during recovery. I recovered in about 2 1/2 months. However, I gained weight and did not exercise much (felt too tired)and began to feel poorly again. I was a yo-yo dieter gaining and losing but finally just gave up and gained weight.
Something amazing happened after I saw “Health Check” a segment by Christi Myers that aired December 2010 on KTRK TV. It talked about people with heart disease and how they were getting off their medicines and losing weight in a “Nutritional Boot Camp” that lasts 4 weeks. I went and have now lost some 16 lbs. in one month and have decreased my medicines and feel great. The boot camp was given by Dr. Baxter Montgomery M.D., a cardiologist at Houston Cardiac Association. Having lost 16 lbs. since 1/2/11, I am feeling much better and beginning to exercise. The diet prescription is a plant-based diet without eating sugar or any oils or fats. Also we have been eating raw food. He has written a book and personally gives lectures and food demonstrations on the foods he recommends. It has been tough but I have lost all cravings for sweets such as chocolate, all meat, seafood, dairy products, fats, refined carbohydrates, and sugar. For once in my life I believe I can continue this way of eating ultimately reaching my goal weight and then be able to maintain it. I truly wish The Barbara Walters Special could have delivered this kind of information to those watching. Former President Clinton lost weight on a vegan diet. I’ve heard he consulted with Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. M.D. (currently retired surgeon from the Cleveland Clinic, who wrote “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” who advocates a similar plant-based diet as Dr. Montgomery. It’s one thing to go through a valve replacement, but if you haven’t lost weight and are not exercising, then you may not reap the benefits of aortic valve surgery.

Linda says on February 5th, 2011 at 9:20 am

I am sorry I missed the special. Is it possible to watch it online? Thank you, Linda