Do you think only one year of trying physical therapy is sufficient to demonstrate the need for TOS surgery?

In the summer of 2005 I was rear-ended and sustained a whiplash/hyperextension injury. I just had a lot of neck and shoulder pain for about three months, and then for the next year I had periodic problems with my neck muscles locking up any time I would overextend myself such as with exercise or just trying on too many shirts at a clothing store!

I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in the spring of 2006 when I suddenly developed what was thought to be wrist tendinitis bilaterally. Treating the wrists alone didn't help, and strengthening my upper body only made my arm and hand pain worse. By resting my now spindly upper body, I have managed to get my hand pain under control, though any time I try to build upper body strength I'm spiraled right back into severe pain. I do see a physical therapist for myofascial release and craniosacral work, which helps somewhat, but doesn't help me strength-wise. I haven't been able to type full force for a year, though I do have to type a bit when my speech recognition software doesn't work properly (I have to Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 8). I can't drive, or grasp for long periods of time. I have finally been able to do the dishes for the last couple months, and I'm just proud of that! My hands hurt every day regardless, and a lot depends on which way my head is pointing or leaning.

I went to see a thoracic outlet specialist last week and he diagnosed me with arterial and veinous TOS of my left arm and arterial in the right, both of which meaning that I do have a nerve compression which seems to be my main complaint. He suggested having my first ribs remove as well as a scalene muscle severed on both sides. I'm really afraid of the surgery because of the recovery time, it seems from a lot of people's posts that it takes a LONG time and I have to get back to college. Any advice? I might post my questions elsewhere, just in case this doesn't get read. Thank you!