Originally Posted by whitedianthus

Folks
I have lurked here for several months.

Since I have gained much from what was written here, I thought I would post about my surgical experience in case someone might find it useful.

PROCEDURE: Transaxillary first rib resection, with partial removal of anterior scalene and a prominent fibrous band. Two inch incision under my armpit.

Surgery took 1.5 hours, spent one night in the hospital. They did a chest x-ray of me in my hospital room the afternoon of the surgery, and then another in the morning. Concern was about lung function.

Taking demerol three times a day. It takes care of most of the pain IF I stay still and lay down. Walking around makes my shoulder and arm throb.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need prune juice and miralax at your house for when you get home. Begin taking one or two glasses of warm prune juice a day, and also a dose of miralax, and maybe stool softeners too. If you don't, you will quickly be dealing with narcotic induced constipation in addition to the pain of the incision. And, yes, the prune juice really does need to be warm/hot. I found that putting a tablespoon of marischino or calvados in it made a tolerable.

Went for post-op today and was told I am doing great. I tend to heal fast and am very fit, so that's probably what has helped.

Instructions are to "let your arm tell you when it is ok to do something.... if it hurts, don't do it." I plan to be off two weeks, because, as they say "you only have one chance to heal right".

I hope this helps someone and please feel free to ask questions.