Hi jlrob6, I must say, I'm a little surprised at your Hematologist's narrow focused response to your condition. A range of tests are used to discount what maybe wrong before final diagnosis, and reading through these forums, you will see nearly everyone has a different experience with it.

I saw on TV the other week that an AFL player has had a similar operation near his clavicle. The younger patients recover quicker, as nospam has mentioned but I'm afraid your Hematologist doesn't know enough to advise you.

I had my rib resection done five weeks ago, just after nospams first one, but the surgeon went in from the front because my issues were many, the simpler ones and less invasive are transaxillary, through the armpit and there are less nerves to disrupt.

The surgery is less common in Australia, but not unheard of. If you look online, an episode of RPA had a rib resection in 2010. This link can give you some easy to understand information as well. http://morphopedics.wikidot.com/thor...utlet-syndrome

I'm in Canberra and my surgeon is a Professor of Vascular Surgery at the ANU, so I'm in good hands. You would do yourself justice if you saw the appropriate specialist. Keep in touch!