hello i sure do understand the problem i suffer from neurological damage do to tos,march 2006 i had to have them removed along with other stuff pectoralis minor tenotomy myomectomy the cervical ribs werent that big its what was attached to them i had to have back to back surgery because it was in denver calorado and i couldnt afford to have it done seperatly.its been a nightmare its never getting better i just have found ways to cope with the pain ive lost alot finacialy because of this thing.please remember when your in pain theres people out there that share your pain god bless take care