I too was concerned about the stairs following my open heart surgery on January 15, 2008. I had a total resection of my ascending aorta due to a 4.9 cm aortic aneurysm and an aortic valve repair. My bedroom is upstairs and I was concerned about tackling the stairs. My discharge instructions said to only go up and down the stairs once a day for the first week after getting home and to only take one step at a time. Realistically, this did not happen! I was going up and down the stairs several times a day from the first day home, albeit very slowly at first. Just take it easy and definitely hold onto the hand rail…all the pain meds and fluctuations in blood pressure can make you a bit dizzy so just be careful and take it easy but you should be just fine! Others have said that they set up a place downstairs like a recliner or couch with lots of pillows to hang out to avoid going up and down the stairs. I didn’t find it that difficult but again, just take it slowly, use the hand rail and let your family wait on you hand and foot…I am 12 weeks post-op now and the luxury of not cooking, not cleaning, etc. is gone….but I am so glad to be feeling better! Best wishes to you!