Houston's own high-profile businessman and philanthropist, Jim 'Mattress Mack' McIngvale, is slated to undergo open-heart surgery, an announcement he made last week. Best known for operating the iconic Gallery Furniture, McIngvale is a prominent figure in the local business community and is widely recognized for his acts of goodwill and generous philanthropy. The surgery is reportedly required due to a heart valve leak, a condition that runs in his family, having claimed the life of his brother and led to surgeries for two of his sisters.

Despite the gravity of the situation, McIngvale was found busy at work at his store, as per usual on the eve of his surgery. According to an interview by KHOU 11, McIngvale jokingly expressed his nervousness about the operation, especially upon being informed that fentanyl, infamous for its notoriety in the opioid crisis, would be used during the procedure. 

Mack's surgery is set to take place at Methodist Hospital and is expected to last about four hours. As per his unwavering connection to customer interaction, he spent the previous day engaging with visitors at his store, many of whom wished him well and offered prayers for a swift recovery. Reflecting his lasting connection with customer, McIngvale reportedly draws his "strength and energy" from these very interactions, as quoted from the same KHOU 11 interview.

In line with his proactive approach, McIngvale plans to return to business just 10 days after surgery, with the expectation of being back at Gallery Furniture. He shared this timeline last week on his social media platforms, emphasizing his intention to continue serving the community, as confirmed in a CW39 report.