Hi, everyone. It has been a while since I posted and I wanted to follow up with a response on how I have been post surgery. I underwent surgery for a first rib resection and scalenectomy back is September 2014 with Dr. Lum at Johns Hopkins followed by venoplasty 2 weeks later. It took me a really long time and many doctor consultations, each with a different surgical approach before I finally decided to have the surgery, and am very happy to have decided to have the surgery with Dr. Lum. The surgery took about 2hrs from the time I was taken into the operating room. The incision was made tranaxiallary (armpit) and is about 2-3 inches long. . I was pretty soar all over after the surgery not just around the incision but pretty much my whole upper body, but I was able to manage with the pain medication I was given. I didn't get much sleep while in the hospital but I was able to walk around my floor throughout the night which I think helped in my recovery. I stayed in the hospital overnight and was released the next day in the early afternoon. The first week 2 weeks post surgery I was pretty soar but was able to do all activities of daily living just being cautious. I did experience some numbness in my armpit and the back of my arm, but that has gotten better over time and has pretty much disappeared. During my surgery I also experienced a small pneumothorax which caused my breathing to be a bit labored for a few days post surgery, but that also healed on its own and did not require a chest tube. I started physical therapy about 3 weeks post surgery and returned to work 5 weeks post surgery with a restriction of 10lb weight limit. I am extremely happy that I chose to have surgery with Dr. Lum and cannot say enough good things about him. He was always very easy to contact through email and always answered any questions that I had.
I know it is a difficult decision to make to have surgery and ,I would be happy to answer any questions anyone may have about my surgical experience.