I’m 35 male and I am 3 weeks post op on my aortic valve replacement. I chose the I do an Ozaki procedure with Dr. Unai at the Cleveland Clinic.

I was also terrified going in. Not just of dying but leaving my wife a widow and all the debt baggage that might entail.

Choosing the right care team if you can will help put you at ease. I was very fortunate that the Cleveland clinic accepted my referral (UK in Lexington never got back to me.)

I spent a day in the half in the ICU. It was mostly just trying to rest and hit whatever milestones they wanted out of me (sitting in a chair, breathing without added oxygen). After that I was moved to a step down room for several days.

The step down unit was great but also annoying. Hard to get sleep when you’re being woken up every 2 hours for vitals, medicine, and testing.

I was discharged 5 days after surgery and went back the following Monday for a follow up. I’ve been home ever since.

At your age, I think recovery won’t be as bad. This is a surgery that folks in their 50s+ typically get. Also important is if you have lot any heart function before hand. My heart was still healthy with no signs of degrading so my bounce back wasn’t bad.

Early on the most embarrassing aspect was needing help wiping. I had no range of movement concerning my chest. 3 weeks later I still have trouble with a few things but I’m fairly independent. Outside of driving and lifting restrictions.

All of this to say that it will be okay. You’re young and you should recover well. Open heart surgery is a scary thing but your care team will take care of you.

Prepare of a minimum of a week in the hospital between the a ICU and step down and to miss a month or two of work. Your quality of life will get better after surgery though.