Ed, you're going to be fine. Relax. You've got a plan and that's what really matters. Knowing you have an issue makes you better than 99.99% of us who found out we had a problem only when we dissected. You just need to relax, keep your blood pressure down, take nice walks, and see your thoracic surgeon next month. No planking, deadlifting, or grunting heavy loads. I dissected suddenly and without warning. It was real disaster. I had no idea what an aneurysm was let alone an aorta. I am sitting here send you this message almost 11 years later, post two open heart surgeries, feeling better than I have ever felt. You're going to be fine. I know it's hard not to worry, but you've been given a gift from the universe--knowing you have a problem that can be addressed rationally and systematically with a planned operation. That beats a sudden dissection outside of a Marriott in San Diego, 1,600 miles from home, at 1:34 a.m. on a Sunday night, every day that ends in "y." You're okay and you're going to be fine. Trust me: don't take advice from anyone unless they either survived a dissection or a thoracic surgeon with expertise in aortic repair. Peace.