HOUSTON — We have an update on Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale's recovery from open heart surgery from the man himself. The Houston icon shared a video on X just after noon on Wednesday.
"It's day 2 of recovery and I can’t thank you enough for your prayers and support. Your kind words and visits to Gallery Furniture are truly lifting my spirits. I’m so grateful for all of you!" Mack wrote.
Appearing a little groggy, Mack said he arrived at Methodist at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday and woke up around midnight, hours after his surgery.
"So a long day being knocked out. Looking to get out of this bed and into a bed chair ...," he said before throwing in a few plugs for his products at Gallery Furniture. "Hope to get out of here soon. People at Methodist are doing a great job, kudos to them and kudos to all the people in Houston that are praying for me to get better, kudos to the good Lord for helping me get better."
He signed off with, "See you soon."
On Monday, KHOU 11's Shern Min-Chow sat down with him to catch up. Less than 24 hours before he went under the knife, McIngvale was right where he usually is -- at Gallery Furniture working.
McIngvale said he has congestive heart failure, which 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.
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.
McIngvale hasn't ever been shy about sharing his health issues but this might be the most serious.
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.
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.
Customers are encouraged to drop off get well cards at the store off I-45 between Parker and Tidwell.