Dave,
I had another member put me onto this thread. I'm glad to hear that you're through the surgery and well on the road to recovery. I was found to have severe mitral valve prolapse a couple of months ago. I've been through a heart echo, a TEE, and a heart cath. I'm scheduled for surgery 04/30. My cath had me clean as a whistle (no blockage). I've been approved to go the robotic route, so they won't have to open up my chest. I understand that the recovery time is reduced just because they don't have to cut through the breast bone.
The surgeon says the I've got about a 66% to 75% chance of him being able to repair my valve, but we'll have to be prepared with a plan incase the repair doesn't work out. I've got an appointment with my surgeon next Tuesday and want to talk with him about tissue valve (pork or beef) versus the metal valve. They say the metal valves last forever, but I've got some concern about the blood thinners. I've considered that 10 or 12 years from now valve replacement might be an outpatient procedure, but I'm just 49 now. If the tissue valves just last 10 to 12 years (what I was told by doc), I'd probably need three or four and that's just to the point that I give up the Harleys for a Vette.
I'll plan to PM you. I'd appreciate your opinions on the valve replacement. I wish you the best on your continued recovery and hope that your back in the saddle sooner rather than later.
Thoughts & Prayers,
PHAZE