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Recovery Update: Barbara Walters Is “Feeling Great”, Walking Around New York City

By Adam Pick on June 17, 2010

As many of you know, Barbara Walters had heart valve surgery in May due to severe aortic stenosis.

Like many patients, Barbara has been rather private about her recovery and the details of her aortic valve replacement surgery. While I continue to receive patient emails requesting her surgeon’s name and valve replacement choice (tissue, mechanical or homograft), I often reply with, “Sorry, I don’t have anything new to share since my last update.”

Barbara Walters - Walking After Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

That said, we do know that Barbara Walters is doing well following her cardiac procedure…

Taken directly from her Twitter page, Barbara Walters wrote, “I am feeling great. Love you all!” following her surgery. And, although I feel somewhat silly citing this source, Celebrity-Gossip.net posted these pictures on June 3rd, which allegedly show Barbara Walters on a walk through New York City.

Barbara Walters - Walking After Heart Surgery

If, by chance, I should learn any more details about Barbara Walters’ surgery, I will do my best to share that information as soon as humanly possible.

Keep on tickin’ and walkin’ Barbara!!!
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.

george seferian says on June 17th, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Aortic valves are being replaced with a cow valve in a stent fed through the groin artery, this is seeking FDIC approval in USA. It is being done successfully in Montreal, Canada. Can you put me in contact with the Doctors and Hospitals in Canada that do this procedure?

I’m told the crash rate is something like one in a thousand, and the recovery time is short. Too, what is the cost, will our insurance cover it, and is there a long waiting list? Sounds to me like this method is better than the chest or robotic methods.

Thanks in advance. Everything I know I learned from you, thanks again.

David L. Belisle says on June 17th, 2010 at 7:08 pm

Hi Adam,
I underwent aortic valve and aortic root replacement last Nov. 10. One of the things that really helped me mentally process my upcoming surgery was reading about celebrities who had similar procedures. Seeing someone famous who had the surgery and return to normal lives set my mind at ease. My biggest inspiration was Robin Williams who had similar surgery to mine (actually it was even more severe). To see him back on television and talking about the surgery made me feel like, if he can do it so can I. I don’t understand why some celebrities won’t share information with the public. It helps people see that you can go through heart surgery and still function as a normal person.

Ricky P.Laufer says on June 17th, 2010 at 9:14 pm

Happy Ms.Barbara is doing well.She seems like a very wonderful woman……Keep on Ticki…

Adam Pick says on June 18th, 2010 at 11:26 am

Hey David,

I agree with you to some extent.

I remember when I learned that Dr. Starnes, my surgeon, had performed heart valve surgery on Arnold Schwarzenegger — five years earlier. It gave me a sense of calm which translated into the self-thought of, “If the Terminator can do it… So can I!”

However, everyone has a right to their privacy – regardless of the public / celebrity status.

My gut tells me that Barbara Walters will share the details of her procedure at some time in the future. I am hopeful that her approach may occur on “The View” or some other media outlet. Given her position and incredible career, I believe she has a great opportunity to raise awareness to this disease that is often not properly treated.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

LAurie Collins says on June 22nd, 2010 at 10:07 am

Go Barbara!

I don’t think I put on Jewlery at 6 weeks!

BTW, I saw that Robin William’s Stand-up DVD is coming out this week. I cant wait to hear his take on Open Heart Surgery. Can you imagine being one of his nurses???