@texan1 You are probably well aware that all surgery comes with risks. Why is your cardiologist suggesting you wait? Mine wanted me to have surgery many years before I did (Me? Open heart surgery? You have to be kidding). The day arrived and I needed it - or else....

If you invite 1000 people to talk about their experiences, you will get 1000 different tales. Some will have absolutely no complications and a very good experience. Some will have an absolutely "bad" experience. The vast majority will be in the range of OK experiences. My surgery at Mayo 3 weeks before I turned 76 went very well as did most of the recovery. I did develop leg blood clots, my cardiologist here at home was quick to get ultrasounds and prescribed Eliquis which I took for 5 months. I also developed arrythmia less than a month later (lucky heart did go through trauma, one cannot deny that), because the electrical system was affected. I acquired Buddy, my ICD, and there have been no problems since. I will never, ever regret having a septal myectomy.

You may find it beneficial to read the entries in https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-i-learned-from-my-open-heart-surgery-part-1/ and https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-septal-myectomy-decision-and-10-things-ive-learned-since/

We emphasize the importance of going to a COE (Center of Excellence) for surgery. I did travel from Upstate Eastern NY to Rochester MN as my cardiologist suggested to receive the best care possible. I was impressed by the knowledge, experience and level of care. Knowing that, in case there are complications at any level, one can rest assured that at a COE for HCM where surgery is performed, the collective knowledge and experience will deal with it. That is not to say that one is fearless when facing this scary event. Yet many are surprised that along with that and weighing any bad experiences they may have, their courage wins and they become determined to do it and get on with their lives. @anonymousanonymous I fully understand that if a septal myectomy is in your future, you want to move beyond it and get on with your life. Please do have a conversation with your doctor to find out about why he/she wants you to wait.

@texan1
I had a dreadfully long recovery. I had to go on disability retirement and leave my job permanently. It took two years before I could even tap my chest where my incision is without it causing pain. My right shoulder in the back, I think it's called the scapular muscle got messed up in the surgery when they cut me open and pulled my arms back. Something happened back there and it has never been the same. So I've had trouble with it ever since then. It hurts badly if I make certain movements to this day. I did not have that pain before my surgery. When I came too from the surgery I was in so much pain that the pain medicines did not help it. My chest after surgery hurt so bad I felt like I had a concrete truck parked on my chest. I was sure I was dying. I even asked my nurse if I was dying and she said no don't say that. I have never ever had pain like that in my whole life. Even my small bowel obstructions weren't that painful and they are absolutely horribly painful. I guess that's most of it really. I'll never have open heart surgery again. I'd rather die first. Which I probably will as I also have a thoracic ascending aortic aneurysm.