I just had surgery this past Tuesday at Johns Hopkins. First rib resection. Surgery was at 8am, I spent the night at the hospital and left the next day at 1pm. No complications for me, no chest tube, no drain etc... Went fairly smooth, Doc said I was very muscular so he had a little tougher time getting to the rib. Wife said I was in surgery until 10:45 or so. I feel lucky so far, my pain is minimal compared to others I have read. I only received one dose of Dillaudid upon going into recovery, after that I received a dose of Tylenol later that evening and then again in the morning. I haven't needed any pain meds at home expect for the Motrin to help swelling etc.... What I have learned is that everyone's experience is totally different. Pre surgery I was very nervous and scared to have it done due to ready all of the stories of pain etc... Don't get me wrong, I'm sore and my armpit and arm burn in area but to me it doesn't warrant the use of pain pills at the moment.