Mended Hearts Open Forum

My Doctors have decided that it's time to do surgery.  My aneurysm measures 50mm.  We have been monitoring it at Mayo for 12 years after I discovered it by a fluke.  It was 48/49 mm and stable for most of that time.  I probably have the aneurysm because they discovered that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve- which is functioning great.  But within the last year Afib has increased.  So the decision has been made that the best route, at this time, to address the aneurysm and the Afib is surgery.   I would be open to hear from anyone who has gone through this surgery- what should I know about the procedure and the recovery?

I have a prosthetic ascending aorta that was installed alongside a mechanical SAVR almost a year ago. I was 45 and mine was bicuspid, too. The biggest deal for me was recovering from the full sternotomy, but it worked out well and was completely worth it. I have no restrictions now. Without a valve replacement I wonder if they can do a somewhat less invasive route. You should find out all the options, but let me tell you that surgery saved my life and improved my quality of life considerably. We are so lucky to be able to have these options!