KOCHI: “We have been asked to abstain from our favourite food. Can we relish them once in a while? When can we resume work and will we be able to drive again?” were the common questions addressed to the panel of doctors, dieticians and physiotherapists at ‘Hridayasamagamam’, a family get-together of those who had undergone bypass surgery.Around 500-odd people and their families listened intently to the answers and looked relieved and relaxed at each answer. Organised as a rehabilitation programme by the Heart Care Foundation and the Lisie Hospital at the hospital on Sunday, the event drew good response.You can have all your favourite food, but in moderate quantities as fat and cholesterol are required for health. About 20 per cent of the food intake a day should have fat, said the doctors.However, they were asked to have fibre-rich food, including plenty of vegetables and pulses with less calories and more roughage. As for resuming work, they said that they can be back to normal in office after 10 weeks depending on individual health. That they could be back on the wheels after eight to 12 weeks of rest was another consolation.Many questions revolved around pain and numbness near the chest. The doctors allayed their fear about the spasm, explaining that the pain owing to injured sensory nerves would take time to heal.The interactive session and diet lunch thereafter helped the patients let go. “Most of the people, who had undergone bypass surgery, feel lonely after being singled out in society,” said Dr Jacob Abraham, a trustee of the Heart Care Foundation. The get-together held twice annually is a platform where the people get a chance to clear all their doubts and help them overcome their fears about future,” said Heart Care Foundation chairman Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram.Uma Preman, founder, Shanthi Medical Information Centre, Guruvayur, received the Social Excellence Award instituted by the Foundation from Principal Secretary to the President Christy Fernandez.Lisie hospital director Paul Moonjely, IMA president Dr Abraham Varghese, Dr Jacob Joseph, Dr Bhaskar Ranganathan, Dr Thomas Stephen, Dr Abraham, Dr P K Joseph, Dr Saran and Dr Nisha Vincent were among others present at the function.
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