Jeff - I don't encourage or discourage in either direction, both valve choices are excellent options. Unfortunately, there is no "absolute truth" in hiding that you haven't found yet. After all, if there were, world class surgeons wouldn't be asking their patients to decide. So, as you've probably already figured out, the valve selection process can be both a blessing and a curse.
I have taken the road less traveled for our particular age group, at least in the non child bearing sub-group anyway. Truth be told, I was firmly on the fence throughout my 4 pre-surgery weeks. I agonized over every conceivable variable, changed my mind daily, even hourly, and at times, wondered if maybe I'd be better off flipping a coin...
Sound medical reasoning exists for either choice at nearly any age, depending on individual circumstances and perspectives. At the end of the day, the unique risks inherent with each choice generally balance out over time, long term survival is essentially identical for both. The "textbook" recommendation for an early 30's male is firmly mechanical. At the same time, more and more of the leading surgeons and surgical centers are now recommending tissue at increasingly younger ages. So, who's right? Guess what, nobody knows. Only time will tell.
Sadly, you could ask 5 different surgeons how long a tissue valve will last you, and you might get 5 different answers. If you're into exhaustive research like me, and hoping for proven studies of currently used valves in the 30 year old age group, I'm sorry to report no help there either. By the time good evidence exists on any given valve, particularly tissue, a supposedly better but unproven one comes out, so back to square one.
Ultimately, medicine only takes you so far. I think personal perspective has to enter in. Glass half full or half empty, plan for the best or plan for the worst, etc.
My best recommendation is to research and ask as many questions as you possibly can, even play devil's advocate to everything your surgeon says. Certainly don't apologize for asking questions here either. If you haven't already found the sticky thread in the valve selection forum, that's a very good overview of the issues. For general medical reference, you might also want to check out some of the relevant practice guidelines. Although the American College of Cardiology valve disease guidelines are almost laughably succinct on the issue. The European Society of Cardiology has a somewhat better clinical analysis (page 253 which is page 24 of the pdf):
http://www.escardio.org/guidelines-surveys/esc-guidelines/GuidelinesDocuments/guidelines-VHD-FT.pdf
I'm sorry I'm not being more specific to your question and my situation, but I will sum it up like this: my own medical profile had a few factors that interact more favorably long term with tissue and no ACT, and factoring in as well my general outlook on life ahead, the decision just sort of "hit me" one day. I knew what was right for me, I knew what was best, and never a second thought. No regrets.
Best wishes to you in this tough process. In some way's it's the hardest part. I didn't decide until 3 days before my surgery, but spent those last 3 days completely at ease, relaxing with my family.
My recovery was overall very smooth and quick. The need for a pacemaker slowed up the first week, but as time went on, I quickly made up ground. I posted a few months ago about how it was actually the best year of my life:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?38916-The-Best-Year-of-my-Life&highlight=best+year+of+my+life There usually are benefits to young age, and I hope the same will prove out for you. Good luck and keep asking questions!
