Hello @bella4728, and welcome to Mayo Connect.
I'm so glad you found this group and like you said, it has been over a year since this thread was active, but you still may get some information by reading what other members posted to ease @zooeymat 's anxious thoughts.
My sweet mama had open heart surgery 30 years ago at age 65, and lived until she was 94. I feel like I know your anxiety! The surgery has been perfected over the years and risks, though real, are much less than years gone by.
On the flip-side: I had open heart surgery too. At the Mayo in Rochester three years ago, and I can tell you I was nervous. I had a wonderful support person, and God, and the two combined were so valuable to me. Only the person going through this knows what it is like, so being able to be a strong advocate and supporter is the best thing you can do for your dad.
He needs you to be strong for his sake, and I bet he wants to protect you and shield you from fear.
That is why Mayo Connect is so helpful. Connect offers a place for you to come vent, share, even virtually cry on our shoulder.
We are here to support each other and listen with open minds and open arms.
When is your dad's surgery scheduled?
Is it going to be open heart or the minimally invasive?