Am so sorry that happened to you @rd4610. How are you now? I'm 3 weeks post-op and have the 1st post surgery visit with Dr scheduled on the 21st of March. Am still waiting for a surge of energy. Can barely make it through required daily routines without having to sit /lay down to catch my breath. Spring is emerging and I want to get out and work in the yard. Then there's the problem of pain from osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis; and I am not supposed to take the antiinflammatory drug, diclofinac, that I had been taking to control that pain. The home health nurse makes it sound like I should be walking a mile a day. My friend is taking me to the library today. I hope I can make it in and out of there without collapsing; but there are overdue books and I need new books. At least I can read. March Madness is also helping keep me occupied; especially with the Missouri Tigers looking strong at the end of the season.

I am about 2 1/4 weeks post op and doing pretty great! Did you have the thoracotomy or sternotomy? And a repair or replacement? I found the "Mini" Thoracotomy for the repair was way worse that this time have a full sternotomy and replacement. The repair took me about 3 months before I started being out of pain and almost back to normal at 6 months. Take a pain med before you go out!
There are hours of the day I have discomfort at all...amazing! Yesterday I felt great and went out with my husband. I stayed out about 1 hour too long! Needed a pain pill badly when I got home!!! My post surgery appt is March 19th!!! Close to yours!! Let me know what your dr says.

Was your surgery at Mayo Rochestet? Who were your surgeons?