Food and 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]

By the way, though I do not know the specifics, the 70% chance of dying in three years is much higher than I would expect for someone after successful surgery - likely your neighbor was trying to scare her or was just mistaken.

[Brenda]

My husband had by-pass and his doctors told him to eat "normal" for 6 weeks after the surgery to help him recover from the surgery then was to have a diet of no salt-no fat.  Perhaps that is what your mom remembers.

[roger]

I am not a doctor, but am a well-read heart disease patient who has had bypass surgery.  I would suggest you investigate the Dean Ornish plan for reversing heart disease.  Takes some discipline and life style changes, but in my opinion is very worthwhile.    Good luck.

[WJS]

Although it's important to change eating habits, a low dose of Lipitor can do a lot more to get that LDL cholesterol down and keep it down.  

Also, I am a strong believer in ACE Inhibitors.  I think that everyone with CAD, heart failure, or high BP should be on them.  I am on ALTACE and it has really made me feel a lot better and, although it's not marketed for it, has eliminated the PAC/PVCs that I have encountered intermittently since my heart attack.

A glass of red wine every day is also one of the best things that you can do for your heart, if you don't have alcohol problems.

[bobthetrainer]

I don't know if you're still checking this for responses but I am a Registered Dietitian and the dietary protocol for bypass patients is that for the first 6 weeks after the surgery, a no added salt diet should be instituted with not so much emphasis on the fats in foods (we don't restrict greatly because the main problem we have with patients post op is that they lose their appetite and don't want to eat).  6 weeks after the surgery, patients should follow a low total fat, low saturated fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, no added salt diet.  If you have questions to the specifics of this diet you should consult with a Registered Dietitian that specializes in cardiology.

[trellis]

I'm wondering about carbohydrate restriction?

[AHAV]

My husband is now one year out from bypass surgery so I am new to all this. Can someone tell me what the acronym PVC means?