Comic Williams's heart op success

[HURAKAN]

Comic Williams's heart op success

Comedian Robin Williams is expected to make a full recovery after a three hour operation to replace a heart valve.

A doctor treating the comic said Williams would regain "normal heart function" over the next eight weeks.

Williams, 57, had the surgery after experiencing shortness of breath during his Weapons of Self Destruction tour.

A spokesperson said the comic would restart the tour in the autumn and had even joked after surgery that he now had "some great new material".

The 80-date tour started in September and was put on hold in March.

A statement from the comic's publicist said that Williams was looking forward to getting back out on the road and had said: "I'm thinking the next leg of the tour will be Weapons of Self-Destruction and Reconstruction".

'Entertaining'

The operation at the Cleveland Clinic, on 13 March, fixed three problems with the comic's heart. The surgical team had to replace the aortic valve, repair his mitral valve and correct an irregular heart beat.

Doctor Marc Gillinov, who treated Williams, said after the operation: "His heart is strong and he will have normal heart function in the coming weeks with no limitations on what he'll be able to do."

"A couple of hours after surgery, he was entertaining the medical team and making us all laugh," he added.

On his website, Williams thanked the surgical team for their "kindness and dedication".

He added that he was "deeply touched" by the support of "all the people who have expressed their love and concern".

The veteran comedian made his name in the classic TV sitcom Mork and Mindy and went on to earn plaudits in films such as Good Morning Vietnam. He won an Oscar for his performance in Good Will Hunting.

He will be seen in cinemas later this year reprising his role as President Theodore Roosevelt in Battle of the Smithsonian, the sequel to Night at the Museum.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 960740.stm

[Stephanie]

I'm so glad that the surgery was a success! I can hear the laughter now on that hospital floor!