Hello googs,
Vascular TOS surgeries usually have better results that nerve related.
Recovery might take longer than what the dr suggested, so keep that in mind , maybe it will and maybe it won't.
Plan for longer just in case, and don't be upset if it does take longer.
A good solid recovery is what it important.

I'm hoping you have an experienced surgeon, that has done quite a few of these, always best to keep the odds in your favor.

use the forum search tool to find more posts & threads on surgery for TOS.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

Also skimming the thread title list is a good way to find surgery info.

Hey there,

I had a large thrombosis in the subclavian vein which was discovered 12/1/11. Four days later, I had the clot liced and then the first rib resectioned the next day. Healing very well. Feel phsyically very much back to normal 2.5 months later, but my energy level is still very much up and down -- as is my mood, though it's more down than up, honestly. I'm a 45-year-old man -- a pretty athletic one, but still no teenager -- and this thing just knocked me for a loop emotionally. Just wondering how other people have felt after this.

James

I am exactly 1 month post op rib resection/ brachial plexus decompression. I had ice on me constantly for the 1st 3 weeks on my chest and below my shoulder blade. For me, I started feeling better at about 21 days, and have now gone to ibuprofen and heat or ice during the day. My doctor saw me 4 weeks post op- I think that is pretty common for the dr to wait a few weeks for the post op, but I was encouraged to call the office if I had concerns about anything.
My pain is different now that the nerves are beginning to wake up in my neck and under the right clavicle. My neurosurgeon told me the pain comes in stages, post surgery because the nerves wake up at different times. I thought I was going to die the first 2 weeks but now I am able to go out for a few hours.
Hope your son recovers well- I am told that it usually takes 12 weeks for a person to finally get back to their old self- and that is if the surgery went well!

Hi James,

Wanted to comment that I am a 40yr old female that had rib resection done on 10/7/11 and spent 2 days in hospital from surgery. I understand the low levels of energy and some depression. I have experienced it myself as I have a 1 1/2 yr old I so desperately want to enjoy and has been hard through out recovery. I went back to work after surgery in a week however, I have a desk job so was able to take it easy. I am still experiencing some muscle pain and tenderness at this stage but it is getting better and I am trying real hard to be patient with the process as I tend to think this surgery was "no big deal" and the reality is that it really was. I am able to control the more painful days with tylenol and those days are rare at this point. I am about to have knee surgery next and will be on crutches for 8 weeks and am hopefully that my upper body can handle the weight bearing after rib resection. My Vascular doctor is telling me that it is ok though. I am doing a good job of repeating my new motto: THIS TOO WILL PASS throughout each stage of the process of recovery. I believe everything you are experiencing is a normal part of the rocovery process and also think it is realistic to look at a good 12 weeks before things are felling more "normal". If you have any other questions or thoughts I would be happy to share my experience so far with you. Hang in there.