Mitral Valve Repair Surgery (Commissurotomy) for Mitral Valve Stenosis

What To Expect After Surgery

Symptoms of mitral valve stenosis improve after commissurotomy.

Recovery

You will feel tired and sore for the first few weeks after surgery. You may have some brief, sharp pains on either side of your chest. Your chest, shoulders, and upper back may ache. The incision in your chest may be sore or swollen. These symptoms usually get better after 4 to 6 weeks.

You will probably be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But for at least 6 weeks, you will not be able to lift heavy objects or do activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles. At first you may notice that you get tired easily and need to rest often. It may take 1 to 2 months to get your energy back.

Even though the surgery repaired your mitral valve, it is still important to eat a heart-healthy diet, get regular exercise, not smoke, take your heart medicines, and reduce stress. Your doctor may recommend that you work with a nurse, a dietitian, and a physical therapist to make these changes. This is sometimes called cardiac rehabilitation.

For more information, see Heart Valve Surgery: Recovery.

Call your doctor if symptoms return

If symptoms happen again after surgery, tell your doctor. You will be asked about your symptoms and will probably have tests to check your heart valves.

Sometimes these symptoms are due to the mitral valve narrowing again (restenosis).