The procedure was actually done against his wishes. He knew the morbidity of a major operation on a 90 year old. After he lost conciousness his wife over rode his wishes. The anesthesiologists at methodist in Houston refused because he didnt want it so they got the one that used to work with him to come and do it. She was the head of the anesthesia dept at the VA in Houston at the time but still had methodist privileges.

I only know this because i used to work there (though this took place a little while after i left) as an anesthesiologist.