Behavior Modifications after Bypass Surgery

This past Oct. my mom had emergency triple by-pass surgery.  She then had a rare infection called TTP which requred tranfusions and platlete tranfusions.

She recovered and is doing well.  However I am concerned about her long term health and recovery. Someone said (a neighbor) that if there wasn't a radical behavior modification there was a 70% likihood of dying in 3 years.  Of course I am worried and concerned.  

My Mom is 72 years old.  Before surgery she did weight lifting and cardio workouts 4 times a week and worked with a personal trainer.  She is abou 40 pounds overweight and in very good spirits.  I took her to the gym to do 10 minutes of cardio 2 weeks ago and she was so happy to be at the gym.  She has been dying to get back to her weight lifting but was told to hold off for a while.  

She says she is watching her diet but to tell you the truth I've seen her eating the desserts and picking at foods that are not in her best interests.  Her doctors told her not to worry about her food to eat her normal way.  (at least that's what she heard).

1st - is this stat true and where can I find out more information that I can share with her?
2nd - is there a diet/food life program that is specific to by-pass patients
3rd - I know I can't 'change her or make her' but what are some things I can do to help her or show her so that she makes the choice to live healthy.

Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Many cardiac surgeons recommend that patients eat whatever they want for a few weeks after surgery in order to gain back their strength. I do not recommend that approach, because the best time to change behavior is right after a stressful event, such as a heart attack or surgery, not once a patient is feeling strong and healthy again. The diet she should follow is a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, such as recommended by the American Heart Association. She needs to make this decision to change her diet and lifestyle on her own. If she did not learn from her emergency surgery and complications after surgery that she needs to change, it is unlikely that anything you say will be able to change her.

[sgk2007]

A related discussion, Mr. was started.