ICU was great, I think. I was so medicated that I was in and out of being awake. Probably not typical but its patient dependent. You will get fantastic care and your surgeon will decide when you are stable enough to be moved to another unit.. Actually ICU is a good deal because the nurse to patient ratio is 1:2 so the care is much more patient focused. Just be sure to inform your loved ones that seeing you for the first time after surgery could be scary. My husband said he counted 16 tubes from various parts of my body. My nurse friends told him to be prepared to see me this way in ICU and he was. I was in the hospital a total of 10 days. I'm so glad I had this surgery and I feel great now. Best of luck to you. I had my mitral valve replaced at Cedar Sinai in Los Angeles CA.