Councilman Alatorre Taking 5 Weeks Leave for Surgery

City Councilman Richard Alatorre said Wednesday that he is taking five weeks off for surgery to correct what his aides called “very serious” stomach and esophageal problems caused by a ruptured diaphragm.

The operation is scheduled for Friday, and the 54-year-old Eastside councilman expects to be hospitalized for about a week.

“The councilman has had a history of stomach problems,” said Luisa Campano, Alatorre’s deputy chief of staff. “In the last several months it escalated, and in the last two weeks . . . he found out how serious [the problem] is. He wants to get this done as quickly as he can. He has responsibilities here at City Hall.”

Campano said doctors aren’t sure what caused the rupture in the diaphragm, a wall of muscle separating the chest and abdominal cavities. One complication is that part of Alatorre’s stomach is pressing against his heart, making eating uncomfortable, Campano said.

As a result, the lean Alatorre has lost additional weight, Campano said. In public appearances recently, Alatorre has betrayed no discomfort, but he has appeared gaunt.

Alatorre has a notorious penchant for junk food. He drinks Coca-Cola and eats Fritos and cookies during council meetings. These habits “might have something to do with it,” Campano said. “He said he might have to crack down on that stuff.”

Because the tear in Alatorre’s diaphragm is large, laser surgery was not possible, his aides said. Recovery is expected to take four to five weeks, but the councilman may work from home as his recovery progresses.

Alatorre is not the only council member to have health problems recently. City Councilman Hal Bernson has missed a handful of days in recent months due to the removal of a benign cyst on his forehead.