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Mava's Smiling Scar Selfie Inspires 7,300 Facebook Likes!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: January 10, 2026

Many, many, many thanks to Mava Reif, from Saint Cloud, Florida, for inspiring our community!

So you know... Mava was unexpectedly diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation. Her symptoms included fatigue and shortness of breath but she was "shocked" to learn that she needed heart surgery. Thankfully, Mava located Dr. Kevin Accola at AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida.

Smiling scar selfie of heart valve patient on Facebook

Mava underwent mitral valve surgery on February 5, 2019. According to Mava, the surgery "went without a hinch". Once her surgical bandages were removed, she shared this awesome Smiling Scar Selfie at her heart valve journal. After we re-posted the picture at Facebook, Mava's picture went viral and received over 7,300 Facebook Likes.

Here's another picture of Mava in the hospital with Nurse Jessica at AdventHealth.

Open heart surgery patient in hospital with nurse

In Mava's most recent post at this link, Mava shared, "Just checking in at the end of day 6. I am still too tired to post very much, but wanted to check in anyway. Everyone's positive comments are so helpful! Thanks everyone. Each day is better than the last one. My time is filed with lots of sleep, walking, & breathing exercises."

Keep on tickin Mava!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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