What can I expect with open heart surgery for mitral valve repair?

I wonder also, I have been looking into a mitraclip/watchman. I could use the info. also!

Just was diagnosed with leaky valve, told to try meds first… already taking amnirodorone, ditilizem, warfarin and water pill… what else?

surgery isn't terrible in terms of pain, the chest takes around 6 months to be somewhat normal and about a year to feel "normal"; deep breaths will fill odd for a about 8 months (feels like its flicking the inside of your chest) mostly due to they puncture a fluid sack aroundf the heart that takes a while to heal. a little thing most people wont talk about is sometimes you will get a post surgery depression I had a bout with it as well, just know it is normal. Even robin williams had to battle with it so you know it is very normal thing. chicagonow.com/open-heart/2014/08/robin-williams-death-open-heart-surgery-and-depression/

Meh0001, I'm glad you brought this up. The emotional impact of heart surgery is important to keep in mind and good advice for @egoaltered
You may be interested in this related discussion:
- Heart Disease: Let’s Talk About the Emotional Side https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-disease-lets-talk-about-the-emotional-side/

Fellow members @yoanne @frande @rd4610 @100154 @pha2340840 @thankful @jeanern01 can also share their experiences with open heart surgery, valve repair and what to expect.

@egoaltered, when will you be having surgery?
@jays1, is the medication helping so far?

Hello everyone, I had a mitral valve repair in 2019 for a leaky valve with regurgitation. I had no symptoms, just a heart murmur. My cardiologist told me that there were better outcomes for those getting the surgery prior to the onset of symptoms like shortness of breath, etc. I was not on any medications. My husband had mild Alzheimer's. I thought it best to bite the bullet and have the surgery before we both crashed and burned, as the doctors estimated a few years before I would need the surgery. It was an adventure. As @meh001 mentioned, there wasn't much pain, but I experienced weakness. I did have complications, a build up of fliuid in my theural cavity, due to inflammation, that had to be drained with pigtails (not much fun). I was in the hospital for two weeks following surgery, then came home and slowly resumed day to day activities as my condition allowed. I was told no driving for six weeks, but I think those guidelines have since been modified, and no lifting more than 15 pounds, which I modified down to 5 pounds as I am petite. I was also told I had to walk three miles a day for the rest of my day, as tolerated. I had knee surgery in my late 20s for a severed ligament and I remember that as more painful and disabling than the mitral valve repair. Be sure to have some good friends to take you shopping or pick up groceries. I was careful during recovery, didn't take risks and tried to listen to my body for cues. I'm glad I had the repair and wish you the best.