To add more,
I seem to remember that once the surgeon felt the
aorta had grown over the graft, I could return to
my normal lifestyle, which at the time was step arobics, weight training and swimming. It was either 6 mos or a year( or two?, sorry I don't remember those details) for the aorta to grow thru and around the graft. I'm sure your surgeon has the info on that and more since I had mine done in
'89 and they must have more information on all these things. I did return to my exercising and with a pig valve,too, at that time. I felt great for 11 years, til the valve started to leak.
You are very lucky to only have the aorta and not the valve involved.
Pick a surgeon that exudes confidence and you will do well,
Gail