Michael Gryllis back at the Patmos Garden Cafe after operation

Mr Gryllis was admitted to Orange Hospital last month to undergo a procedure on his heart, 19 years after undergoing a triple by-pass.

As a result, the much-loved eatery at the Botanic Gardens was forced to close.

But after a successful stint in hospital, the café owner was itching to get back to what he loves.

So just a few short weeks later, his smiling face could be seen at the café once more.

"I'm back to work because I don't want to sit back and do nothing," he said.

"We had three months off last year because of COVID-19 so another couple of weeks didn't worry me. I started back again last week and everything is well."

The response he received when he announced his return via Facebook was astounding.

Dozens of well-wishers and more than 100 people happy to hear the good news.

"Honestly, I didn't expect so many people to go online to wish me well," he said.

"I cut the menu a little bit down and on Sunday we were particularly busy, but I had five girls working for me so I was just directing traffic.

"It's been four weeks since the procedure so I'm allowed to do anything, but I'm going very easy though."

He also praised the doctor who made it all possible.

"The doctor who did the job on me, was a very, very good professional and had very good hands," Mr Gryllis added.

"He said to me 'Michael, I'm sorry I can't make you 18 years old but I'll give you a little bit more comfort for the rest of your life'."

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