Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Garofalo returned home Tuesday to recuperate
after double bypass heart surgery.
Garofalo said he was supposed to leave the hospital Saturday, but
bleeding in his stomach forced him to stay longer.
Although he walked around the block and fixed himself breakfast
Wednesday, the 54-year-old city official said he needs rest to recover
from the operation performed last week at Fountain Valley Regional
Hospital and Medical Center.
"It's like a truck runs you over," he said. "It's about as serious as you
get other than cancer."
It is expected to be two weeks before he can resume his full schedule of
civic duties and business obligations, including his work as a local
newspaper publisher. In the meantime, Mayor Pro Tem Tom Harman will take
over with the help of Councilwoman Pam Julien and City Administrator Ray
Silver, he said.
Garofalo has a history of heart problems. He underwent an angioplasty in
late June.
