Has anyone had surgery for Mitral Valve Prolapse?

I am 31 and just discovered I have severe Mitral Valve Prolapse (Heart probelm). I probably have to have surgery. I have been healthy all my life and I am a little scared. Anyone had surgery for it? What can I expect??

Ok, more details. My doctor has diagnosed it and i have only had an endocardiogram. His conclusion was: 1. Severe prolapse of the posterior mitral valve leaflet with an anteriorly directed eccentric sever mitral regurgitation.
2. Mild pulmonary hypertension.
3. The mitral valve morphology appeared amenable for valvular repair.

I see a cardiologist in a few days.

No one has surgery for mitral valve prolapse. Rather they have surgery for a valve that leaks severely and usually - strike that - DOES cause symptoms. I am very surprised that you are completely free of symptoms and surgery is being recommended at age 31.

Is there more to this story? Did the cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon actually discuss surgery with you? If not - regardless of whether they said it was severe or not - I might not get ready for a big surgery quite yet.

See link to the Mayo Clinic web site on the matter:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mitral-...

Good luck and good health to you, my friend.

Addendum-
It can go either way but some cardiologists might try treating the condition with medication and hold off recommending surgery until you have clear symptoms. If they put in a new valve - it most certainly would be a mechanical valve and that signs you up for anticoagulation therapy for life. It is possible that they might try to hold off on surgery until it is very clearly indicated.
See this link: http://www.mitralvalverepair.org/content...

If you look at the menu on the left of that page - it should answer most of your questions. Print it out if there are specific things you want to discuss with the cardiologist. Also be sure to click on the "minimally invasive surgery"

Good luck.

yes. In Feb of last year. Had a gradually worsening valve and regurg. Had it done at UVA teaching hospital by an excellent surgeon and 2 doctors who were months away from being certified themselves. IN at 6 am, spent most of the day in surgery, stopped my heart, cut open my breastbone, opened my heart, sewed in a ring and trimmed the valve, closed and restarted. Spent a week in hospital; three weeks at home recovering and was released to come back to work at a very low physical demand (and driving a car with no airbags). Couldn't lift or pull anything for a good six months being cautious mostly about the wires holding my breastbone together. Was on blood thinner for about 45 days and on severe pain meds for about 30. HAd a little fluid develop on a lung that eventually cleared, and some anemia issues that also creared up. After 6 month, my cardio told me it went well enough I didn't have to see him again. Year later, only real side effect is some residual fatigue (im 51) and my breastbone gets sore when I'm tired or overstressed.
I'm not a smoker and they said this was textbook.

No worries man; you'll blow thru it

My mom did in may 2005. She was able to have it repaired, and she is doing great. It was painful for a few weeks, but shes good now.