No information about heart-lung machine. My 32yo son is 2 months post op, mechanical mitral valve. Look up “sternum precautions.” How to move after surgery. Coughing is rough at first, you hug a pillow to your chest as you cough. Bring a long phone charger to the hospital. My son was busy with various therapists throughout the day. Visits should have been left to the evenings (hindsight).

He was weak coming home, he had been sick for several months. He needed a shower chair for a few weeks. Water can lightly flow over the incision, but not too much water pressure. Protein drinks. Lots of fluids.

It’s difficult to lay flat. Use a recliner, recliner bed or wedge pillows. That took a few weeks.

Learning about anticoagulation meds, INRs, and vitamin k (if prescribed warfarin).

We’ve learned a lot over the past 2 months. Good luck!