Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Frank Melton Recovering from Bypass Surgery

Jackson Mississippi Mayor Frank Melton, is recovering from heart bypass surgery at St. Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. On Monday, Melton announced that he had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure in August of 2005. Melton and his doctor's believed that he would only have a defibrillator-pacemaker implanted to monitor the condition. Once the surgical team catheterized the mayor they found extensive blockage.

They removed two healthy arteries from Mayor Melton's chest and one from his leg. The arteries were used to bypass Melton's damaged ones.

The 57-year-old's surgery was completed around 11 a.m on Thursday. The surgery took approximately six hours. Bypass surgery can take anywhere from 6 to 13 hours. According to the Clarion Ledger, the mayor had been moved to a private room and was resting comfortably. At press time doctor's reported they would try and wake him around 6 p.m. on Thursday. It

It will take Melton anywhere from four to six weeks to completely recover from the surgery. It is not known if Melton will recover at his Tyler home or return to Jackson. Melton's wife and family live in Tyler, Texas. It is important for bypass patients to get adequate rest to ensure a full recovery.

Melton has been a center of controversy due to his aggressive anti-crime tactics and flamboyant personality. In September, Melton and two police officers were indicted for illegally tearing down a duplex. Melton maintained the duplex was a notorious drug house. Witnesses claimed that the mayor banished a sledgehammer during the incident.

Mayor Melton has also been accused of violating his $50,000 bond which does not allow him to carry firearms, use police equipment or be in the company of minors without supervision.

According to Dale Danks, Melton's attorney, the mayor's April, 23 court day had not been moved. Melton defeated two term mayor Harvey Johnson nearly two years ago. Danks is also a former Jackson mayor.

Congestive heart failure means that that heart cannot pump enough blood to keep the rest of the body healthy. If the condition goes untreated the patient will become weak, lethargic and possibly retain water. Nearly 5 million people in the United States have heart failure. Nearly 300,000 people die from the condition each year. Bypass surgery does not cure heart failure. It's only one treatment for the disease.

The risk of congestive heart failure can be cut by lowering fat, salt and alcohol intake. Increased physical activity is also recommended to decrease risk. Those predisposed to the condition include minorities, obese persons and people with heart heart defects.

While Melton is away city business will be overseen by Robert Walker, the city's Chief Operating Officer and City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans.