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47 Years With a Mechanical Heart Valve: Marc's Successful Surgery (Part 2)

Written By: Marc Becker, Heart Valve Patient
Introduction By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: October 22, 2026

Great news!

In July, I shared the remarkable story of Marc Becker, who received a St. Jude mechanical aortic valve at just 14 years old. Amazingly, that valve lasted 47 years!

Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy Heart Valve Patient Success Story

At the time, Marc was preparing for his second open-heart surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York to replace his mechanical valve and repair an aortic aneurysm. Well... Marc just sent me an update with some wonderful news! His surgery was a complete success! Even more remarkable, the procedure was more complex than expected because his aortic aneurysm measured 6.3 centimeters.

Here's Marc's inspiring update, three months after his operation.

Back at Mount Sinai After 47 Years

It has now been three months since my open-heart surgery, and as promised, I'm happy to share an update about my journey.

Mount Sinai Hospital will always hold a very special place in my heart.I was one of their longest-standing cardiac patients, starting back in 1965 with Dr. Leonard Steinfeld, who began pediatric cardiology in a very small office across the street from Klingenstein on Madison Avenue.

Fast forward to July 2026, and I was back at Mount Sinai after 47 years of an amazing and wonderful life. This time, however, I was returning as an adult.

A Successful Surgery Despite Unexpected Challenges

I'm thrilled to report that my surgery was a complete success, despite being even more complex than anticipated!

My St. Jude mechanical aortic valve, implanted in 1979 by Dr. Robert Litwak, the former Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai, had served me extraordinarily well for 47 years. To my knowledge, it was the oldest recorded St. Jude aortic valve.

In addition to replacing this remarkable valve, my surgical team needed to address an aortic aneurysm that turned out to be larger than expected, measuring 6.3 centimeters. Replacing a 47-year-old mechanical heart valve while addressing a 6.3 cm aortic aneurysm is no small feat!

Thank You to My Incredible Surgical Team!

I would like to express my deepest gratitude and respect to the extraordinary team at Mount Sinai.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been in the hands of such capable cardiothoracic surgeons, including Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy, Dr. Burt Williams, Dr. Benji Salter, and the entire pre- and post-surgery team at the Mount Sinai Cardiothoracic Department.

Given the complexity of my procedure, their skill and expertise were truly remarkable.

And the good news is... I was fast asleep through it all! Thank you, Dr. Salter!

I also want to extend a very special thank you to Leemor Sellitto. She is truly one of a kind. The Cardiothoracic Surgery Department is extremely fortunate to have someone so involved, supportive, and genuinely caring.

Leemor helped make this entire experience as comfortable as possible for me.

You Only Live Twice!

As I reflect on this experience, I am filled with gratitude.

Forty-seven years ago, Mount Sinai gave me the opportunity to live an amazing life with my mechanical heart valve. Now, thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors and nurses, I have been given another opportunity to enjoy life.

"You only live twice—I now start my second chapter, and yes, I begin tennis again next week!"

I sincerely hope my story provides encouragement and inspiration to other heart valve patients, especially those preparing for surgery or recovering from their own procedures.

And finally, from the bottom of my heart... Thank you, Dr. El-Hamamsy!

Best regards,
Marc Becker

A Special Note From Adam

Marc, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

What an extraordinary journey! From receiving a pioneering mechanical heart valve at age 14 to undergoing a complex second heart surgery 47 years later, your story is truly inspiring. I'm so happy to hear about your successful surgery and your plans to get back on the tennis court!

On behalf of our entire HeartValveSurgery.com community, thank you for sharing your remarkable experience and providing hope to other patients facing heart surgery.

Keep on tickin', Marc!

P.S. If you missed the beginning of Marc's amazing journey, read Part 1: Marc's Story — 47 Remarkable Years With a Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement.

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Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

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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