I was the guy since April 2021 who thought I could just exercise and eat right and somehow postpone avr, big mistake. On 11/7/21 I was walking to my car and barely made it. My son was with me and watch me pass out for a good minute in the drivers seat. He called 911 and I was ambulanced to White Oak Medical and had my valve replaced 4 days later. What a great hospital. I was very nervous but for all of you facing this surgery, don’t postpone it and honestly the anxiety level did not live up to the actual surgery. Once they put the oxygen mask on and give you that Marguerita the next thing you will be aware of is waking up in recovery. Pain was pretty bad first few days but it’s hardly noticeable 8 days out now. Remember these surgeon do the operations around the clock and they are incredibly gifted. You will be just fine and you will finally be able to enjoy planning and living your life again.