I was not given an option, I was told that to be here at 7 AM in the morning and you will get a St.Jude Mechanical Valve. Did not know there was anything else.....
I have posted this before, I hear my valve 95% of the time. I wish I was doing what you are 6 months out...I am 14 months and still cannot walk 2.5 miles. as my doctor told me when I thought it was over....."think about living and not dying".
I had my TEE in August 2004......the WD-40 they sprayed in my throat did not do a thing for me....after the 7th spray the Doctor said it would be OK, they promptly knocked me out and while I was out they went ahead and did a heart cath......