I know many people in So cal have had surgery, and we have some great surgeons here. I feel like I have met socalians that went to denver, and some that stayed local but my memory gets foggy on who went to what surgeon, and I feel like some surgeons I have heard about but not actually talked to anyone that had surgery with those doctors.

I know posting info about exactly how you liked your surgeon and why or why not, especially the why NOT part isn't something poeple generally like to post. However, I am kind of thinking that in the next couple months I am going to start getting surgical opinions if I am not starting to feel better.

I wondered if people could help me gather info on this topic- If you have had surgery especially with but not limited to a local (Southern California) surgeon and would be willing to share with me

1. What kind of surgery, (with or withuot rib resction)
2. Was your doctor open to the other type? If so why did you go with what you did?
3. How was your personal/bedside experience (face to face interaction)
4. How was your surgical experience (successful?)
5. How are you feeling now (better, worse, same?)
6. How long ago was it?

I know this is similar to many threads we have out there, what I'd really appreciate is that if people have things to say that they don't want to post, please feel free to PM me. I feel like there are some holes, doctors I only have a little info about, for instance, and I am trying to fill those to make the best decision.

Thanks in advance-

Johanna

bumping up

Hi Johannakat,

My husband had a re-do in Denver last month. His first two surgeries here in Seattle failed (1st rib resection and scalene removal) because the surgeon forgot to remove the periosteum and the rib grew back and really went to town slicing and dicing up the brachial plexus and surrounding tissue. Anyway, that's off topic.

I did a lot of research and decided to go to Denver because it's really the mecca for TOS surgery. Dr. David Roos (retired) in Denver is the grandfather of the procedure and Drs. Annest, Brantigan and Sanders were all his proteges. They all practiced together in differing configurations over the years but have since separated physically and philosophically. But irregardless, there is a wealth of wisdom and knowledge in Denver because of the sheer number of procedures done in the area. So if you are blessed enough to be able to go there for a consult, I wouldn't hesitate to go.

To respond to your other questions. Dr. Brantigan's bedside was fine. He lives about 2 blocks from the hospital and gave us his home number to call in an emergency, which we did one night and he responded promptly. After the surgery, Brantigan hooked us up with a PT who was really fabulous. The guy really knew TOS, he even attends some surgeries so he can see the musculature of the syndrome. As for your last question, the jury is still out as to the efficacy of the surgery, this is a year long recovery as you all know. But we remain hopeful, my husband attends PT religiously, does his glides regularly, and we just wait to see how he heals. I guess it is worth noting, however, that he has reduced his pre-op pain medication levels, so that says something!

Good for you for doing your research. Good Luck!

Erin

I would like to echo Erin's response, only I had surgery, not my husband. I too found Denver to be a great place for TOS surgery. I did my research and went to see Brantigan as he had the most TOS surgeries under his belt with positive outcomes. I also talked to Dr. Roos and he said yes, Brantigan was the Doc he would go to if he needed TOS surgery, so that sealed the deal.

Doc Brantigan does live 2 blocks from the hospital and one night my husband and I were walking past his house, (didn't know it was there) he called out to us and we sat on his porch and chatted away about everything but the my surgery the next morning. He also gave us his home number in case we needed anything, not just surgery stuff he said. He wasn't even on call then which we thought was really nice! (he was still with his partners at the time) It's funny that his number spells words at his office and his house. So funny! (won't say what they are as to respect his privacy)

He made us feel at ease and joked the whole time right up until I was going out in the OR. I even got to pick out what music I wanted to "hear" during surgery! Even though he did promise I would be totally out for it! But it was a "just in case" I wake up, he wanted me to hear something pleasant and not, "oh crap she woke up"! That's the way to have surgery! Laughing right up to "night night" time.

Part of it for me is that I trusted him from the get go, I didn't go in armed with loads of medical articles on TOS for goodness sake, he knows all of them and has written many of them anyway. In no way did I even question which way he was going to do the surgery, he was the doctor and I trusted him to do it the best way for my body structure.

He did ask me what kind of pain meds I needed afterwards. He said he would give me what ever I can take so I had Demerol post op IV for 2 days then extra strength Tylenol and Motrin after that. It was tough that first week but I don't do well on any type of pain med. I was in the hospital for a week because I had all 3 types, really bad and it was a long surgery.

PT was great too, Paula was wonderful, as was Jason. It didn't take long to get back my "old arms" and it feels great after all these years!

You have to remember, when you go see docs that are rated nationally and world wide for their particular type of medicine, you don't go in trying to teach them something that they already know, nor do you proceed to tell them how you want surgery done. That's mistrust and lack of confidence in the surgeon from the get go. Why go to them then?

I had a ton of questions for him and he answered all of them, albeit many with funny answers, but he did answer the ones that really mattered to me.

The professionalism of his office and the hospital staff was outstanding, which made for a wonderful recovery and a scary thing not so scary.

I hope this helps.

Erin, I hope your husband is doing well?

Take care!

hi everyone,
i just want to leave a quick thanks for all your replies...everyone at home is sick as all get out this weekend, and we are totally swamped, so i probably won't get back to you until a few days from now

THANK YOU though...I really appreciate all your input.

I will get back you shortly.

Johanna