Hi @melthomas. I had a myectomy over 12 years ago and I was also very concerned about waking up on the ventilator. It turned out to be a non-event. I woke up and wrote notes to the nurse, and then they removed it pretty much immediately after I woke up. As far as preparing, the best thing you can do is to stay in shape. Try to walk every day, if you can. I have two resources to share with you as well. I have a blog about HCM and I have a page to help people prepare for myectomy: https://hcmbeat.com/resources/resources-for-patients-about-myectomy/. Also, I wrote a blog about my experience about my own myectomy: http://www.cynthiassummeradventure.blogspot.com

Wishing you the best. If you are having surgery at Mayo you are in the best hands.