Hans Sigl
That’s why he had an open heart surgery
Hans Sigl is there live in the operating room.
© RTL
In “Die Herz-OP”, Hans Sigl is present at an open heart surgery. In an interview, he reveals how he himself takes care of his heart health.
Actor and “Bergdoktor” star Hans Sigl (52) accompanies an open heart operation in the documentary “Die Herz-OP” (from October 27 on TVNow). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he tells how he experienced the processes in the operating room and whether his experience as a TV doctor helped him. In addition, the actor reveals whether the profession of cardiac surgeon would be something for him and how he keeps himself in good health.
How did the idea come about that you would be there for an open-heart operation?
Hans Sigl: RTL and TVNow simply asked me and explained to me what the format is about. In terms of clarification in particular, I found this to be a very exciting task and therefore immediately accepted.
How did you experience the atmosphere in the operating room?
Sigl: It was all really very interesting! Especially since I still know the clinic atmosphere from my community service and then also fictitiously from the “Bergdoktor”. The immersion in this process – from the changing room and preparing the patient to the operating room – was incredibly calm and clear. With an atmosphere of silence, the closer you got to the operating room, you became familiar with the task at hand.
Did you feel out of place or what was your emotional state like?
Sigl: My colleagues, especially Professor Albes, took me by the hand and included me in the conversation. There was a lot of talk during this nearly seven and a half hour operation and I was able to ask all of my questions. I didn’t feel out of place. I was like a student from the very beginning who was meticulously aware of all small and large steps and, so to speak, asked questions on behalf of the audience.
How did you experience the moment when you saw the beating heart?
Sigl: From a dramaturgical point of view, that was of course the highlight. That was the look at the wonder of nature, and an incredible number of thoughts went through my head. What an incredible organ, what an achievement! What a gift. It was indescribable when the heart was first seen. But it was also embedded in the very clear order to “repair” something.
How explicitly is the operation shown, is the program not for the faint of heart?
Sigl: The operating room is shown in great detail; we shot and followed it with many cameras. But I believe that the show goes far beyond this question. The OP describes a great path. Namely, the way to how this triple operation – heart valve, aorta and bypass – works. You gradually grow into this operation and can experience it step by step.
Did your experience from shooting the “Bergdoktor” have an influence on “Die Herz-OP”?
Sigl: No, definitely not. One is fiction, the other is reality. Rather, I have benefited from some impressions from my community service. That you have to be disciplined, calm and clear. But one has nothing to do with the other.
What did you learn?
Sigl: Watching the doctors do things is very exciting. I’ve learned that the art of doctors is even more worthy of appreciation. And that you can and should put aside the fear of such an intervention. That’s why we’re making the format so that the audience can see: It’s a huge operating theater, but with the knowledge and possibilities that are available today, it’s feasible.
Would you like a job as a cardiac surgeon?
Sigl: Definitely no. It’s not just a job to do, it’s a calling. You hear this call very early when you have it. I have never felt this calling for myself, but I am very grateful that I was able to stand by a very good surgeon on the show, watch and let myself be drawn into this magic.
The format aims to educate people and make it clear to people that they shouldn’t take their health for granted. Do you have a different view of it after filming?
Sigl: Of course you can look inside the body and get a glimpse of the lungs and heart. You can also see what is going on when the heart-lung machine comes into play. On the one hand, it is a very magical moment when you look into the human body and know how it all works. On the other hand, it is also a technical process that fortunately has priority as such in the operation. It is a process in which one cannot afford emotions and feelings. Such an operation is something that needs to be treated with great precision. In the end it becomes clear to you that health cannot be taken for granted and that you should also do something preventive for yourself and your cardiovascular system.
Are you explicitly doing something for your heart health? How do you stay fit?
Sigl: I do a lot for my health, I have various training programs from cardio to strength. I will attach even more importance to cardio training, because the heart muscle simply does incredible things in the course of a person’s life. For me it was a great opportunity and a great privilege to be able to attend. I would like to thank Professor Albes and everyone who really took me by the hand wonderfully. Last but not least, I was taken into the art of anesthesia, which was very exciting. The audience then sees everything else in the documentation.