Mitral valve regurgitation operation query

i have  been recently diagnosed with "Mitral Valve Regurgitation. i apparently have had a leaking valve since birth that is progressively got worse. I went into hospital recently with pains in the chest and had chest x rays and a CT scan done.
The scan indicated a grossly enlarged heart so my GP dispatched me quickly to a cardiologist, who gave me a echo and a stress test.
i am scheduled for a TOE and an angiogram in 3 weeks. (this has all happened in the last fortnight) my doctor has mentioned open heart surgery to repair the valve. How likely is this?and what time frame roughly - is it something that can wait years?
I have had shortness of breath for 10 years, palpitations and fatigue. i need to prepare myself and my family ( i am not worried but do work full time ) i need to know if i need to consider a fair bit of time off or not.

Thank you

[ed34]

If your cardiologist feels it's time for the valve to be repaired, then I would go along with his suggestion because you can end up with more long term problems if you ignore his advice. I haven't had valve repair, but I have had a triple bypass. It really depends on the type of work you do that decides how soon you can return, but in all honesty, I would allow at least six months recovery time.

[kenkeith]

I have had moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation for years.  My doctor wants to be told if and when I have shortness of breath which would be a strong indication to have the condition treated.  The risk of wating too long is to have an enlarged left ventricle and low cardiac output.  According to the Mayo Clinic's surgeon he states the biggest problem he sees is the patient waited too long and it is then diffcult and surgery may not be able to return the heart to normality with valve repair or replacement.

About 6 years ago, I had had a heart attack and an enlarged left ventricle, the local surgeon did not want to do any surgery so I was treated to reduce the LV enlargement and increase the heart's contractility...I now have a normal size LV and contratility is normal. I may be at risk to wait much longer!...it was believed my prior heart attack and enlarged heart caused the MVR, and there was a possibility the valve could return to normal with treatment...it hasn't.  

Based on what you state, the report indicates a grossly enlarged LV,  and that may contraindicate a surgery at the present time in order to treat and reduce the heart's size.  If that is not possible, then to wait any longer is not in the best interest of a successful outcome.  

Thanks for sharing and if you have any followup questions, you are welcome to ask.