@petersen73
I've had my pig valve for over 10 years and I've experienced no ill effects. I cannot feel it beat, it still feels like my own heart. In fact, my valve is still working as well as it did the day they put it in! It's "perfect" as my cardiologist, Dr. Warnes, says. I had a checkup just over a year ago and she said I didn't need to come back for 2 years. Theres no calcification, no regurgitation or anything. Sometimes these valves can last way longer than their life expectancy. I'm so thankful I went to Mayo and had the surgery. I wouldnt be here if I hadn't.

Hello pfsimger,
Thank you so much for replying to my concerns. I am still hesitant about the surgery and even more hesitant about how to handle the short-term, 10-week aftereffects. The good news is that my surgeon may be able to repair my own valve as long as it is not too calcified. You have lifted my spirits. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hello colleenyoung,
I'm glad I found the discussion group too, Thank you for all the leads, I will definitely follow up on them. You have been very helpful.

did you read my post of may 12? then you know the most important details.I was suffering from a mitral valve prolapse,which is hereditary.slowly I developed mitral regurgitation. no symptoms! 2010 i had my first A-Fib attack, the cardiac echo showed at that time stage II, i.e. the regurgitation became worse, still no other symptoms.I started with an anticoagulant (Xarelto) to prevent a stroke.in the beginning of this year I asked for a second opinion and I went to a hospital specialized in cardiac arrhythmia. they found severe mitral regurgitation (stage III). I still had no symptoms, like you. they recommended a cardiac echocardiog. every three months and a spiro-ergometry to test my physical condition. I myself decided to have an operation as soon as possible and I made an appointment in the heart center of the cologne universitiy. that was quite unusual, normally a cardiologist send the patient to a hospital. i had the possibility to discuss my problem with one of the best medical experts ,in particular, if he could do the operation minimal-invasive. at the end he would do an ablation. of course he could not promise, but I woke up (intensive care) and I had only a 2-3 inch at my right side..he repaired the mitral valve/reconstruction) und placed a ring around the opening of the valve. I had two unpleasent weeks in the hospital.,but I think that is normal.I had a very quick recovery after coming home and 3 weeks rehabilitation. 2 months after the operation my husband and I flew to greece.I continued my daily walking there, sometimes 8-10 km!!! I'm feeling absolutely fine. I I would recommended everybody,: don't wait too long, don't postpone the operation.your time of recovery depends on your physical condition, i.e. your heart.before the operation.
as you wrote that the cardac surgeon will do a reconstruction, you are suffering from a primary/ degenerative mitral regurgitation (like I had). otherwise he would place a mitraclip around the mitralvalve opening