Mattress Mack posted on Twitter when he checked in for surgery Tuesday morning. On Monday, he was right where he usually is — at Gallery Furniture working.
HOUSTON — A well-known Houston businessman is going in for open-heart surgery on Tuesday.
Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale made the announcement last week, but on Monday, KHOU 11’s Shern Min-Chow sat down with him to catch up.
McIngvale has congestive heart failure, which he said runs in his family. He has six siblings. His brother, George, died from it several years ago. Two of his sisters also have had heart surgery — one wasn’t even in her teenage years when she had it done.
Throughout his life, McIngvale has managed his heart issues through medication, but he now needs surgery.
“A little nervous … I asked the anesthesiologist what drug he was going to use and he said fentanyl. And I said, oh, no, that’s got a bad name,” McIngvale told KHOU 11 on Monday, followed by a laugh.
The businessman and philanthropist has had his bouts with health issues, but this might be the most serious.
In a Twitter post from Methodist Hospital early Tuesday morning, he thanked his supporters.
“I’m here at Methodist getting checked in for my open heart surgery! Updates to come after the surgery, thank you everyone for your well wishes, prayers, support …” Mack posted.
On Monday, less than 24 hours before he went under the knife, McIngvale was right where he usually is — at Gallery Furniture working.
About the only thing that can keep him off the sales floor at his furniture store is an Astros playoff game — or open-heart surgery.
He said the surgery would be held at Methodist and should take about four hours.
On Monday, many customers came to the store to wish McIngvale good luck and told him they were praying for him.
McIngvale said the customers are his people and it’s where he gets his strength and energy — from interacting with them.
At 73, McIngvale hasn’t ever been shy about sharing his health issues. He said the hardest part of it all would probably be staying in the hospital for six to seven days after the surgery and not being able to be at work.