Home » Discussion » Zola's heart surgery

Here’s an update today from Zola’s wife, Sandra:

He had a very good day today. He walked up and down the hall twice, so far. He should walk once more. And he felt good! Praise God. We are feeling the prayers.

Zola will probably not be released to go home until after Thursday, August 4. His strength remains good but they want to keep an eye on him a bit longer. Please continue praying for his speedy recovery.

Zola continues to do very well. Here’s a photo from his hospital bed:

Zola, one day after heart bypass surgery

Zola is out of the ICU and into his own room. The doctors are very pleased with his progress. He’s doing very well. Sandra’s doing better also. 🙂

Cards can be sent to the ministry’s PO box address. They have already received “tons” of them.

Zola came through the surgery well. The operation was about 4 1/2 hours long, from 12:30 to 5 PM. He was still asleep at 10 PM but they expected him to be up shortly. He was moving around (but didn’t appear to be in pain). He should be moved from the ICU to a regular room tomorrow (Friday).

They took two veins from his chest and one small one from his leg to use for the bypasses. They also found and repaired a small hole in his heart. When he recovers, he should have lots of new energy!

Before the surgery, Zola was in good spirits, joking with the staff.

Zola was taken into surgery around 12:30. He is expected to be out around 5 PM CT.

Zola says this in the upcomming September Levitt Letter about his surgery and suggestions (given here and elsewhere) about alternatives to surgery:

If anyone wants to know, I gave a fleeting thought to simply sitting it out and seeing how far I could go. Perhaps I would live longer than anyone expected, by medication and losing weight and perhaps taking the volumes of pills and treatments our readers and viewers suggested when they heard the news of my operation.

I must say a word of thanks to all those people who meant so well and who gave a huge variety of suggestions to avoid this bypass operation. Various procedures and products were suggested and also chelation therapy, all of which I dutifully discussed with my cardiologist.

In any case, it’s very late in the game for any such treatments. I have over the years taken anti-oxidant pills, vitamins of all sorts, and various recommended home treatments for artery disease. And after all, I did pretty well, going 22 1/2 years since my last bypass.
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As to the upcoming operation itself, I believe in God and I believe if the utter worst happens I will finally see him face to face. And there is a certain excitement inside me with the idea that I might actually see God in eight days. That is not at all likely, but as my cardiologist pointed out, when one leaves the house in a car one takes a chance with his life every time.
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One thing is for sure, I certainly have many people praying for me, and most of the folks who sent in their ideas for cures also did much prayer on my behalf.

The results of the surgery (scheduled for about 4 1/2 hours from now) will be posted here ASAP.

Zola’s surgery has been scheduled for Thursday, July 28, 2005 at NOON US Central Time. He arrives at the hospital at 9 AM.

Zola discusses his upcomming surgery in episode V1619 “Two Soldiers: Two Battles” of Zola Levitt Presents, which broadcasts July 17–July 23, 2005. See the TV Schedule for a broadcast time in your area.

This episode will be available soon for viewing on your computer on the Zola on Internet TV page.

In late 1982, after experiencing some symptoms of heart trouble, Zola underwent a triple coronary bypass operation with six grafts using veins from his leg. In 1994, he had two angioplasties to improve his circulation.

This procedure should have lasted for ten to fifteen years, which would have taken Zola to about 1997. Zola believes that it was the intercessory prayer that he received from his very large television audience that has sustained him for the past 23 years since his first bypass—long beyond expectations.

Recently, he again started having some heart-related symptoms. In June, he had an angiogram and found that two of three coronary arteries are blocked again and the third one is 70% occluded.

Zola’s cardiologist advises that, although this is not an emergency situation, it does need attention. Without the surgery, Zola would probably last another three or four years. With it, he could go on for another twenty-two.

The recovery from the operation is expected to take up to three months.

For about six weeks, he won’t be able to work very much on newsletters or television programs. He does expect to be all right for the November Israel tour. He at least plans to go to New York, see the tour off, and have the usual orientation session at the JFK chapel.

Zola requests that rather than send flowers or other items, that you send him your prayers. He also asks that you continue your support of this ministry during his absence, when donations can sometimes drop off.

Besides praying for Zola (and, as always, praying for the Peace of Jerusalem), Zola wishes to remind you to also pray for others in your lives that need intercession.