Everything that @houston13 says is true and accurate. For perspective, below is a picture of the exact make and model of aortic graph they installed in my chest. I was able to purchase an expired one from a medical supply company for $40 plus shipping. The one UCSD actually installed cost my insurance company $1.4 Million. I paid for shipping. I read my UCSD-La Jolla medical records to find out the exact brand and size because of my mindless curiosity. Graft is 28 mm of diameter (same as a standard soda bottle cap) and 30 cm long (roughly 12 inches). It's flexible like a vacuum hose. I suspect whoever was the proposed recipient of this one, never had a chance to have it installed.

In any event, in answer to your questions: I don't do anything but easy cardio. Walking. I like to work around the yard so I can rake and I like to build things so I hammer things, but nothing that spikes my blood pressure. My job is to be here for as long as I can be for my wife and kids and that does not include weightlifting or risking my life because my ego won't move aside for it. I think swimming, walking, and spinning all work well, as long as any trainer you use has cardiac rehab expertise. Again, our goal post-surgery is to lower your heart rate below >60 Beats per minute and your blood pressure below >120/70 ideally.

Finally, there is this discussion of the risks of dissection in aortic patients who weightlift: "[I]ndividuals with confirmed aortic root dilation should be strongly advised to refrain from strenuous exercises such as weightlifting. These patients may also benefit from blood pressure and heart rate monitoring during their exercise sessions. Exercise recommendations should be made by putting into consideration patient’s age, body mass index, underlying comorbidities and existing risk factors." https://www.swjpcc.com/critical-care/2020/8/7/acute-type-a-aortic-dissection-in-a-young-weightlifter-a-cas.html

Peace.