Garofalo home after surgery

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.