Richard Munson
3 months is nothing
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My Posts
Katie Shaw posted an update
2 months ago (February 25, 2026)
It has been almost 3 months since my husband had his mitral valve surgery. For the past few days he has had “popping†feeling in his chest and slight discomfort. He called the Dr. today and they are seeing him tomorrow morning. I just wonder if this is something anyone... Read more.
Deena Z
Richard is spot-on, 3 months is about 25 percent of the way for full recovery, particularly if the sternum was cut. I still have occasional popping in my chest years after surgery, when lifting weights. For pain, try a heating pad!
Katie Shaw
He was checked out at the surgeons office, they said everything feels fine and it's just the cartilage.
Katie Shaw posted an update
5 months ago (December 9, 2025)
My husband is now home after 7 days in the hospital post op open heart mitral valve repair. He is doing good so far. He says his pain on a scale of 1 to 10 is a zero to 1. He is sleeping in a recliner. I’m wondering how long... Read more.
It took me about 5 weeks to sleep in a bed.
😢Thanks, I figured it will be awhile.
I was sleeping with inclined pillows for about 6 weeks. It was about 10 weeks before I could comfortably lay on my side.
5-6 weeks Katie
I slept in bed with a wedge for less than a week. I then made a pillow fort in bed and would sleep for a couple hours, then would head to the recliner for the rest of the night. It was several weeks like that.
I slept in the chair for about a year (haha but not kidding) I am a side sleeper and it kept me comfortably on my back.
8+ weeks here ! It just felt better
Jal, you just never had the use of my double belt hoist.
Slept on a 45 degree incline with pillows for 8 weeks, then just pillows and on my back. Finally kind of my side - propped up with a pillow supporting my side! Its a process.
No Richard - you should have patented it and sold it... Infomercial from the south shore!
I slept on my back in bed right out of surgery. Took about 3 weeks to sleep on my side comfortably. Good luck, feel good.
Thank everyone! It’s been such a help hearing of others experience. My husband started sleeping in bed, with pillows to elevate him, after about 2 and a half weeks. Today we are at 39 days and he has started sleeping on his side again. This happens about a week ago,... Read more.
Katie Shaw posted an update
6 months ago (November 10, 2025)
My husband (on the right) is having mitral valve surgery next week. Our primary care Dr. heard something that did not sound right to her at his regular yearly physical in November of 2024. He had ultrasounds every 6 months to watch it, and it was not a problem that... Read more.
😂
Adam Pick, Rose Madura and
reacted to this
I had mitral valve and chord repairs at age 57. I had no problems after surgery. Honestly, waiting to have the procedure was the most stressful part Everyone's experience is different, but your husband should be fine.
Wishing you both all the best!
Your husband is active and healthy. That will help in his recovery. Please keep us posted.
Thank you. I will, and I'm sure I will have questions at some point.
I was also asymptomatic being checked every 6 months. When at cardiologist in May was sent to surgeon because it was becoming worse. Saw the surgeon in July and was operated on in September and am
9 weeks post-op. My surgery for mitral and tricuspid repair was successful and am... Read more.
Hi ! Depends on what surgery type he is having how that might play out. I had a sternotomy, but if you have a thoracotomy, acute pain for a period of time may happen - not sure if age matters.
Certain things do seem to track with younger patients. Pericarditis... Read more.
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