Please read what I actually wrote. No one's disputing that scar tissue causes problems, or that it should be removed because it causes pain, or that we're all different.
What I said was that my surgeon told me that too much movement post surgery will not cause scar tissue to regrow more quickly. I'm going by what my surgeon--who has a very high success rate with this surgery--has told me. I should not hesitate to move around and live life for fear of scar tissue ruining the results of my surgery. That's what I said. :)

Blurto, I don't believe that was a sweeping generalization, honestly. I do find that telling people to restrict their movements post surgery for fear of scar tissue forming is misinformation. Certainly I'm as entitled to my opinion as they are. :)

I have scar tissue trapping my subclavian artery and vein, causing complete blockage of both (confirmed by MRA, and about a gazillion other tests). This scar tissue formed after surgery for a broken collar bone that did not heal. It formed to where my arm and hand was going off-color within 4 months of surgery. I make keloids, inside and out. Have not found anyone or any way of preventing or fixing this. It's two years later, and apparently scar tissue is STILL forming in there.

This scar tissue was seen, confirmed, by Dr. Donahue's specially-designed CT scan. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what he would do about it, because he mixed someone else's neck MRI in with all of my scans, and based "my" diagnosis on the bulging cervical disc that this other person had, but I don't. (Which would explain why he kept asking me about "my pain" when I kept trying to tell him I really didn't have much, it was the blue arm and the cardiovascular side effects that were the problems.) I found this out when I got my hands on a copy of his report about me, while waiting 4 months for his office to appeal the insurance refusal for the botox injections he seems to do on everyone as part of his investigation. (His office was not appealing for those four months. They had not done anything but make me think they were appealing.) When I finally got through to him to tell him of his mistake, he refused to take responsibility for his mistake and dumped me as a patient. So much for the shining Dr. Donahue. He will always be held in a special place with me, and it ain't in my heart. And it wasn't the mistake, it was the way he handled it that has placed him there.

So on to yet another doctor, New York City, again. Who said messing with scar tissue is a VERY BAD IDEA, as someone else in this thread said, it is tougher than regular tissue, so if you start pulling on it, guess which rips first (hint, not the scar tissue). And, also, there is no way to prevent more scar tissue from forming as a result of the surgical cutting. Which is also what a doc at Yale-New Haven, and a doc at Columbia Presbyterian had said when, they both eager to remove rib & all, I asked, well how do you keep more scar tissue from returning? and all they could say was "good question". But no answer. Because there isn't one. Other than to stay away from patients like me that will scar excessively, and ruin your record.

In searching for a possible solution to stop the ongoing internal scarring, I have run across many articles on scarring after TOS surgery that causes further problems and need for further surgery. I have also run across many articles talking about how surgery to repair scarring just causes more scarring, then more surgery, then more scarring.....

I'd also add the caution to be careful of any surgeon who say THEY never have a certain problem, and that it won't happen, unless they have specific, concrete, documented techniques for preventing it. And yes, be careful of anyone too eager to do surgery, but also be careful of those who seem too good to be true.

You seem to be using this forum as a way to discredit a doctor, winc. I can say without hesitation that my experience--and those of most other patients who have had Dr. Donahue perform surgery that I've spoken with on this board--has been completely contrary to yours. He and his team could not have been more professional and caring, dare I say, outstanding. Seriously, every single person I encountered on his team. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, and I don't doubt that you did, but it's hard to believe we're talking about the same person. I guess like most things in life, we all experience them differently.

I get the feeling that no one has actually read what I wrote, as evidenced by some of the responses here. I think I'm going to bow out of this discussion for now.

Winic, I noticed in some earlier posts that you speak highly of Dr. Adelman in NY. Were you able to get some help from him in the form or surgery or pt? It sounds like you really liked him and found him helpful. Though I disagree with your assessment of Dr. Donahue and his team, I still wish you success in your recovery and peace.

[What I said was that my surgeon told me that too much movement post surgery will not cause scar tissue to regrow more quickly]

Ah that clears it up - I didn't see that from my readings of the first post.
What I saw was this and that's what I was replying about.
[but scar tissue does NOT cause problems]
probably what others were replying about because they have scar tissue and it causing problems.

So the thread got off due to a misunderstanding of sorts...apples vs oranges ...

[I do find that telling people to restrict their movements post surgery for fear of scar tissue forming is misinformation. ]

You thought the suggestion of limiting movements after surgery was in relation to scar tissue growth.??
If I had noticed a post saying that I would have tried to clarify, I must have missed that one.

I usually suggest gentle ROM movements - but limiting of any quick, fast, jerky moves that may cause a problem.
Like trying to catch a falling cup or dish..
( nothing to do with scar tissue- but just in general- post op advice)




*
About Dr talk...
I will say that everyone has their own experiences with various Drs and while some love their Dr, another may have had a bad experience with the same one..
It nothing personal and no Dr is or his office staff is 100% perfect every day..

Mistakes happen.:(

Morning Everyone,

Thanks Jo*mar, we must be so careful in what is said and how it is said. Everyone's situation is unique as is their opinion, taken from personal experiences. Do not misinterpret these personal opinions as misinformation. This is how a well intentioned post can be misinterpreted without a clear focus in the statement.

Jo*mar, I'm not about to argue with strangers on the interwebs, but you took a portion of my entire sentence and posted it completely out of context. I have seen lots of chatter here about how you need to take it easy post surgically because scar tissue and adhesions will form if you don't. Scar tissue will grow and cause problems if you sit still in a chair and do nothing for months on end. I did not say that scar tissue wasn't a problem.

Sweeping generalizations are a bad idea overall. I worry that a lot of the people that read and post here haven't sought sound medical advice.

Taking it easy and sitting still in a chair and doing nothing for months on end are entirely two different things. I have been trolling TOS boards for well over 4 years and I have never read a post here or anywhere about sitting still in a chair to avoid scar tissue or adhesions.