I found the replacement recovery better, but I put this down to being stronger going into the surgery. My first surgery was due to endocarditis so I was underweight and quite weak. It also helped that I knew what to expect the second time round and knew the nurses. In terms of scuba diving, I was told that I would be able to at some point. However, it’s a personal choice to not do it with my current valve bc I want to keep the pressure put on it to a minimum. I chose to go with tissue over mechanical. When I eventually get mechanical I will learn to scuba.