Hi Newarrior.
I would strongly suggest that you at least consider going with a tissue valve.
1) You are 59 now and will almost certainly be over 60 when it is time for surgery. The last time you updated us you were still in the moderate range for aortic stenosis, so you could easily have a few more years before it is your time.
2) Almost every guideline for valve choice would indicate that, for the age range of 60 to 70, either mechanical or tissue is a reasonable choice.
3) In that you are dreading the ticking already, I would expect that you could very likely to be one of those rare individuals for whom the ticking bothers them. In my check up with my cardiologist last week, we discussed the issue of how ticking bothers a small percentage of patients with a mechanical valve. It is his opinion that it is psychologicial for the most part. The discussion of ticking comes up often here, and probably 95%+ of those with mechanical valves indicate that the ticking is a non-issue for them. I know that you have read those threads, as you have participated in them. But, despite having this encouraging feedback from those with mechanical valves, still you are dreading the ticking. So, if you are that certain that it will bother you, despite this feedback, I'd wager that it will, in fact, bother you.
4) You indicate that you are also dreading blood thinners, which we like to more correctly refer to as anti-coagulation. If you go with a tissue valve you will probably only need to be on anti-coagulation for a few months following your surgery. So, a tissue valve will allow you to avoid this concern of yours, most likely, although it is not a certainty, as some develop conditions which require anti-coagulation for other reasons.
Best of luck in whatever you ultimately decide and hoping that the day of surgery is many years off for you.
