Carrie,

I haven't had surgery for vascular TOS but know of three people who have had it for vascular TOS. They all developed blood clots, ended up in the ICU until the blood clots dissolved and then had surgery. They were all able to return to their jobs. One even had a 9 inch blood clot. I think the outcome depends on the extent of damage and how long the problems have existed.

I have had TOS surgery on my right side for neurogenic and vascular TOS caused by a car accident - one time injury. The TOS surgery restored use of my hand and the shoulder surgery restored my ability to carry any weight in that arm. I'm putting the right arm/shoulder/TOS region through the test right now as I tore my labrum (SLAP lession) in my left shoulder last summer and had surgery three days ago. I have had doppler studies done on a stat basis several times since last summer due to concern over blood clots. So, I do have vascular TOS on the left side that they are monitoring.