hi iv came across this forum looking for some answers am due to get my first rib removed next week after nearly 2 years of recurent dvts on my left side under coller bone. i met with my surgeon briefly 4 weeks a go and told me i was the most un usaul case he has seen up here in scotland!uk, for what reason i dont know as i was only told that removing my rib would deff decrease my chances of more dvts, i also have athritis on my neck, am in constant pain the past 2 years have been such a worry,

am getting so nervouse about the opp was told they only do about 3 ayear by the nurse who done my pre opp n she was unable to answer questions, am a hairdresser and hope to go back to work but she was un able to tell me if could, i also have a 7 month baby boy, a 6 year old girl also a 12 year old

iv been on pain killers cocodomal, valium. sleeping tabs for so long now am scared that i wont be able to cope with the pain as my body has got so used to them,
also how long will i not be able to hold my baby for? iv got so many questions and worrys at the moment can anyone advise me as iv not been told very much on what to expect

many thanks sharon

By any chance is there any other surgeons in the area that has done more of these? Or is this surgeon very very skilled at all things surgical?

It isn't life or death that you get the surgery right away, can you take the time to make sure that this is a very very good & expert surgeon?
I mean you don't want to be someones practice for this so they can learn more about rib resection surgery..

We have so many posts & threads about surgery and pre op/post op and recovery.. it is a tricky & detailed area with all the nerves & vascular involvement.
Outcomes & recovery times...
A lot depends on the skill of the surgeon, what he finds when he gets in there, and plain old luck.

If you go to the main TOS thread list page - and just scroll down to find titles that sound like they might be Dr or surgery related.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Or you can use the search link in my siggy to find specific posts or threads.

Removal of the 1st rib seems to be the best way to decompress the costoclavicular space and relieve vascular compression. Some of the pain you are experiencing could be attributed to nerve compression in the same space, so surgery could reduce your pain in the long run as well.

My advice is to get a second surgical opinion. Perhaps you can find a surgeon that is more experienced with this surgery.