Barbara Bush leaves Texas hospital

Former president George H.W. Bush got a briefing from Dr. Gerald Lawrie after his wife's surgery in Houston last week. (MICHAEL STRAVATO/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

HOUSTON - Barbara Bush was released from the hospital yesterday, saying she was "feeling healthy and strong" nine days after undergoing heart surgery.

The former first lady, 83, thanked the doctors and staff at Methodist Hospital as she left with her husband, former President George H.W. Bush.

Doctors said Barbara Bush's condition, a severe narrowing of the main heart valve, is common in people her age. The March 4 operation, in which the aortic valve was replaced with a valve from a pig, took about 2 1/2 hours.

Dr. Gerald Lawrie, who led the surgical team, said she will have to take it easy for at least another three weeks before resuming normal activities.