Letterman leaves hospital five days after heart surgery

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Letterman left the hospital Wednesday, five days after undergoing quintuple bypass surgery, his spokesman said. "I think there must have been some kind of mixup. I went to the

Wednesday, January 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Letterman left the hospital Wednesday, five days after undergoing quintuple bypass surgery, his spokesman said. "I think there must have been some kind of mixup. I went to the hospital to get a face-lift," Letterman joked as he left the hospital, according to spokesman Howard Rubenstein.

Letterman, 52, was continuing to recuperate at an undisclosed location, Rubenstein said. Letterman had emergency heart surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Friday after tests showed that one of his arteries was clogged. "Dave has been an ideal patient," said his physician, Dr. Louis Aronne. "He feels strong and strolled out of the hospital in great spirits. I am confident his recovery will continue along the same path."

Rubenstein said he did not know when Letterman would be able to return to the "Late Show." CBS is airing reruns while Letterman recovers.