Originally Posted by Limoges (Post 853376)

I am going to have a first rib resection done by Dr. Dean Donahue in several weeks. I have a congenital abnormality in my first rib. I've done a lot of research and am very confident about Dr. Donahue. He's smart, conservative in his approach, and gets rave reviews. Obviously I'm hoping for a good or at least "better" outcome for pain I've suffered for most of my adult life.

I guess I'm looking for encouragement! :p :)

Originally Posted by Scaredsilly (Post 854252)

I was thinking about seeing Dr. Donahue because i have heard good things about him. I live in New York and need a phenomenal surgeon. I am young like you, I'm 26, and i have strictly circulatory problems. Im in no pain and havent been diagnosed yet. Well the only pain im in is right sided neck and head pain. I haven't been diagned yet but im positive something is interfering with my circulation. It's consuming my life and thoughts.

I really need someone to talk to me who knows what im going through so we can help eachother amd get through this. I'm terrified ill drop dead from a stroke if i dont get this taken care of first but due to health insuramce I havent veen able to seek Dr Donahues assistance.

How is his outlook on arterial or vennous tos ? Positive and hopeful or negative ?? How fast was he able to determine where the compressiom was coming from and how many tests does he normally run? Is he positive where compression is or takes a guess ? I know if a surgeon knows exactly what is causing the compression than after surgery you would be cured. its when they aren't sure where it runs into a problem bc if they take out what is not causing the compressiom then you'll still have the issue.

THis is strictly arterial or venous tos I'm speaking of. Did he mention risk of stroke and if its likely , even in the worst of cases ? I know nothing about this. I know you'll b just fine after surgery :)

Originally Posted by SD38 (Post 858735)

Pretty concerned but don't want further surgery!
I'm 6 months post first rib resection and have begun to experience issues with my arm/hand on OPERATED side, it still fatigues very quickly. Even though my vein and artery have been released from the first rib I think that they have not been through enough in their investigations and feel that they have missed part of the compression ?????? ...
The only time I get cut again is if its a there and then life or death situation.
Damn I'm confused!:(

Originally Posted by Limoges (Post 853376)

I am going to have a first rib resection done by Dr. Dean Donahue in several weeks. I have a congenital abnormality in my first rib. I've done a lot of research and am very confident about Dr. Donahue. He's smart, conservative in his approach, and gets rave reviews. Obviously I'm hoping for a good or at least "better" outcome for pain I've suffered for most of my adult life.

I guess I'm looking for encouragement! :p :)

Originally Posted by HayleyJo (Post 1266619)

I am 3 weeks post op, still very sore but noticed a massive difference in my symptoms. I was operated on by an amazing vascular surgeon Dr Angus Rude in Morriston hospital Swansea. This surgery was done on MHS yet Dr Ruddle provided his own mobile telephone number so I could text him at any time with concerns. I have seen a definite improvement as I say, the constant pain I had in my arm (like hitting my funny bone) has eased, I don’t have the tense muscular pain in my neck (like elastic bands on full stretch) that I was experiencing and I have more movement in my arm and shoulder. It had been remarkable. I am however still experiencing pec pain and stabbing behind my shoulder blade. Dr Ruddle used transaxillary approach which seems to have better outcomes for patients. He was the only surgeon in my locality who could perform the surgery using this approach. I had two surgeries cancelled and then had to wait four months as he went on sick leave for him to come back to perform the procedure but I am so glad I did. I’m still on pain medications but 6 week post op I am hoping to be able to reduce these. I will have s follow up, de Ruddles advice was of it hurts don’t do it but other than that try to lead a normal life.