I would see Dr Donahue if I were on the east coast. I hear too many good things about him. All surgeons here are recommending full rib resection. Don't know why but I do wonder in principle the use of the first rib But if best results are from full removal, so be it. I think you need to know more as to why she recommends only partial removal. Does she do full removal at all? Tel her you only want full removal and if she says she ain't done it.... Perhaps she is concerned with risks of going to deep for her skill level. I think either full removal or no removal.