Laura,

What do you mean the first surgery is a test?

What is being done in this test and how would it differ from the 2nd surgery?

Never heard of a two step process before.

Thanks.

KY

Hi there,

I have bilateral symptoms, with the left side worse than the right. Therefore, Dr. Donahue referred to the first surgery (on my left side) as a "test", meaning that if it relieves my symptoms, the right side could be a success as well. However, if the left side does not significantly improve following surgery, we would have to go back to the drawing board to treat my right side.

He also meant it in the sense that he can't guarantee I have TOS and this surgery will definitely help me. Of course, there's no promises in something like this. However, he did say that he completes these surgeries at least once per week, and he has only had two patients over the years that had no improvement. Everyone else has had small to significant improvement, and those two patients did not get worse from the surgery, things were just the same afterwards.

Take care,
Laura