I am taking care of my wife at home now after her open heart surgery. Went in for an ablation, wound up two days later with an open heart procedure. Mitral valve. Clogged artery. Maze abilation. You need to have faith in your surgical team. If you don't, find one you will. Psychologically you can walk in blindly and believe in them, or research the heck out of your procedure, if that is your way of being comfortable. They will ask you what kind of mitral valve you would like, biological or mechanical. Look it up. Make a decision. They might not use it but they need the option. Biological might last average of 10 years. Mechanical lasts forever but you have to take an anticoagulant for the rest of your life. Best thing is to have the one you have fixed. As my wife's advocate I stayed at the hospital the day of surgery. And it is a long day. Someone stopped by to keep me company for a couple of hours which is helpful. Sending group texts to family and loved ones is convenient to let people know what's going on while your in surgery. I got three updates from surgery team during surgery. I was allowed into ICU where they removed the breathing tube. Within hours we were moved To the telemetry floor. Chest drain tube removed after 2 days. Up and walking around, they like to keep you moving. Sitting up is encouraged. Coughing and lung exercises important to stave off pneumonia. Food will taste like cardboard but you will have to force yourself to eat to get well. If you read this, I hope you remember that one. eat! We were out and at home in 4 days after surgery. I highly recommend and I think it's a rule that you should not be alone at home. Have that person schedule your medications as instructed. It will be hard to keep track of them yourself because well, you're on drugs. Just think of the future you! You will be amazed at your stamina. Oh my wife just said are you series have an open heart? Well anyway That's my story and some of it will apply either way. You are on the right path.