Hi, I had the same exact surgery 4 weeks ago Tuesday, what was suppose to be a five hour MV repair ended up being a nine hour MV replacement using a tissue valve. My surgeon repaired my valve, but was not confident that it would hold, so he ended up replacing it after all. The incision is on my right side and is about 4 inches long. And yes, it is less invasive, but the pain is still the same if not worse in my opinion. I say this only because there is such a small area for the surgeon to work and they go between ribs and through muscle, so expect to be bruised for quite some time. However, even though you may be in significant pain for a day or two, once the chest tubes are removed you will feel like a new person and the pain will become more manageable, and by the fourth day you will heading home ( if no complications). After a week, the pain is nothing a few extra strength Tylenol can't handle. In my case, by day five in the hospital my heart rhythm was still erratic and a week after my OHS I got a pacemaker. At that point I could care less and was just ready to go home. I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have if you like. Good luck and praying for a successful surgery.
