For open-heart surgery

• You'll be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.

• You'll change into a hospital gown and empty your bladder.

• A healthcare professional will start an IV (intravenous) line in your arm or hand. You may be given IV antibiotics before the procedure starts.

• Other tubes (catheters) may be inserted in your neck and wrist to monitor the status of your heart and blood pressure, and to take blood samples. Catheters may also be inserted under the collarbone and the groin.

• The anesthesiologist will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery. Once you're sedated, a breathing tube may be inserted through your throat into your lungs. You'll be connected to a breathing machine (ventilator). This will breathe for you during the surgery.

• A nurse will insert a catheter into your bladder to drain urine.

• Your surgeon will insert a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe into your esophagus. This is done to view the valve function after repair.

• A member of the surgical team will clean the skin over the surgical site with an antiseptic solution.

• The surgeon will make a cut (incision) down the center of the chest. It will go from just below the Adam's apple to just above the bellybutton.

• The surgeon will divide the sternum (breastbone) in half lengthwise with a special operating tool. The 2 halves of the breastbone will be separated and spread apart to expose the heart.

• To do this delicate valve repair, your surgeon will need to stop your heart. Before stopping your heart, tubes are inserted into the heart so that the blood can be pumped through your body by a cardiopulmonary bypass machine.

• Once the blood has been diverted into the heart-lung bypass machine for pumping, the surgeon will stop your heart by injecting it with a cold solution.

• When your heart has stopped, the repair will start. The procedure done will depend on the type of valve problem you have. For instance, separation of fused valve leaflets, repair of torn leaflets, or the reshaping of valve parts so they work better.

• Once the procedure is done, your surgeon will allow the blood circulating through the bypass machine to re-enter your heart. They'll shock your heart with small paddles to restart its electrical activity. Slowly, your heart will resume pumping blood through your body. Your surgeon will remove the tubes connecting you to the heart-lung machine.

• Once your heart is beating again, the surgeon will check the function of the heart and the valves.

• Your surgeon may insert temporary wires for pacing into your heart. These wires can be attached to a pacemaker. Your heart can be paced, if needed, during the initial recovery period.

• Your surgeon may insert tubes into your chest to drain blood and other fluids from around the heart. These tubes will be connected to a suction device to drain fluids away from the heart. 

• Your surgeon will connect the sternum back together .

• Your surgeon will sew the skin over the sternum back together and close it with stitches or staples.

• A tube may be inserted through your mouth or nose into your stomach to drain stomach fluids.

• A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied.

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For a minimally invasive procedure

Your surgeon may do a minimally invasive procedure. For this, they'll insert special tools into your chest through several smaller incisions, rather than 1 large incision. These tools will contain a camera, as well as all the tools needed to fix your valve. This procedure might take longer than traditional open-heart surgery. But recovery may be easier.

In the hospital

• After the surgery, a member of the surgical team will take you to the recovery room or the intensive care unit (ICU). You'll be closely watched for a few days. A nurse will connect you to monitors that will constantly display your electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing, blood pressure, other pressure readings, breathing rate, and oxygen level. Heart valve repair surgery generally requires a hospital stay of several days or longer.

• You may have a tube in your throat connected to a ventilator until you're stable enough to breathe on your own. As you wake up from the anesthesia more and start to breathe by yourself, your healthcare provider will adjust the breathing machine. This is to allow you to take over more of the breathing. When you're awake enough to breathe completely by yourself and are able to cough, your provider will remove the breathing tube. They may also remove the stomach tube at this time.

• After the breathing tube is out, your nurse will help you cough and take deep breaths every few hours. This will be uncomfortable due to soreness. But it's very important that you do this. It will help keep mucus from collecting in your lungs and possibly causing pneumonia.

• You'll be given pain medicine if you're hurting. Ask for the medicine before you become extremely uncomfortable. Your nurse will show you how to hug a pillow tightly against your chest while coughing. This helps to ease the discomfort.

• You may get special IV medicines to help your blood pressure and your heart rate and to control any bleeding problems. As your condition stabilizes, these medicines will be slowly decreased and turned off as your condition allows.

• Once the breathing and stomach tubes have been removed and your condition has stabilized, you may start liquids to drink. You can add more solid foods as you can handle them.

• When your healthcare provider determines that you're ready, you'll be moved from the ICU to a post-surgical unit or acute care unit. Your recovery will continue to progress. Your activity will be slowly increased as you get out of bed and walk around for longer periods.

• Arrangements will be made for a follow-up visit with your provider.

At home

Once your healthcare providers feel that you've recovered, you'll be discharged and may go home. Follow all your instructions for medicines, pain control, diet, activity, and wound care. Your healthcare provider might prescribe blood-thinners to help prevent blood clots. Make sure you understand how to take them or how these medicines might affect your health and lifestyle choices. Keep all your follow-up appointments.

Other common instructions after surgery include:

• Walk at least a few times a day for as long as you can.

• Don't do any heavy lifting. Your provider will give you a specific timeline for lifting restrictions.

• Slowly resume your normal activities as much as possible. Ask your provider when you can go back to work and when you can have sex.

• Know that you won't be able to drive a car for some time after the surgery. This is to allow for healing of the breastbone (sternum) and the chest wall muscles. Plan to have someone give you a ride home from the hospital. Ask your healthcare provider when you can start driving again.

• Watch your wounds for any sign of swelling, redness, bleeding, or discharge. Report these to your medical and surgical team

• Tell your provider about any increasing pain, fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

• Eat a heart-healthy diet and stay at a healthy weight. Eat foods that are low in salt, cholesterol, and fat. Try to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

• Don't smoke. Stay away from secondhand smoke and all other tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.

If you need dental work in the future, your healthcare provider may give you antibiotics to prevent infection of your valve. Before you have any dental procedure, always tell your dentist you've had valve surgery.

Your healthcare provider may suggest that you begin a cardiac rehab (rehabilitation) program. This program slowly reintroduces you to a normal lifestyle. Cardiac rehab starts in the hospital with simple walking. It progresses to a regular exercise routine and a nutritious diet. Committing to healthier habits can prevent future heart problems.