Darn it! I hate that for you Not what I was expecting to hear. I hope the rest helps you! Take care of yourself. Thanks for replying....I appreciate it so much!

Hello all. Hope everyone is doing well. Today is my daughter's 6 month anniversary post op. She continues to do great. She doesn't have any pain in her shoulder, elbow, or hand. What a miracle. She is having some pain below her rib cage. She had this pain for a month or so after surgery. Sometimes when she coughs or laughs alot, she has this pain. This time it was brought on by her sitting at a desk for 9 hours. I texted Dr Pearl this morning with an update on her and I mentioned this to him. He told me that she needs to so her stretching, work on her posture, and use heat as needed. All it all, everything is going well. I wonder when I will quit worrying about a relapse?

Just wanted to update you all. Take care and wishing everyone a pain free week!

Excellent news for your daughter. One year post-op for me as of the June 7. Couldn't be doing better(knock on wood)! Wishing all success in beating this disease

Tosdad...so glad to hear that! Thanks for the update

Almost two weeks post-op. I am 37 yo and had 1st rib removed through supraclavicular approach. Have had TOS since 2006. Live in California and flew to have surgery with Dr. Pearl. My pain level is much better and prolly going to go off pain meds by end of this week --- not taking much now. TOS symptoms have improved but still get some old symptoms. Hopefully it continues to get better. My ulnar nerve seems to have a problem at the elbow and causes tingling in ring/pinky fingers at times.

Surgery went well. Ant and median scalenes taken as well. Some adhesions removed (neurolysis). Dr. said artery and nerves were compressed. The morning of surgery, the nurse anesthetist asked if I was getting the first rib removed and sympathectomy. I told her that I wasn't aware I was getting sympathectomy and said I didn't want it. Spoke to Dr. P and told him the same. He said they do it sometimes but would only do the neurolysis, etc with me ---- not the sympathectomy.

When I woke up from surgery, my arm was very numb from the elbow down and it was difficult to grab things. I put a pillow under the elbow area and the pain started going away. Dr. P thought the arm numbness was from the lidocaine ball, but I disagree --- think they irritated another area of compression at the elbow from all the tugging/pulling of the Brachial Plexus. I had a chest tube and a seperate catheter in the area of surgery that released a drug like lidocaine. I also had a pca pump. Was taken off pca pump and started on oral pain meds day 2.The day of my surgery, he also operated on pitcher from A's and a minor league pitcher.

Surgery was on wednesday and released from hospital Friday. Went to dinner with wife that night and almost fell asleep at the table from all the drugs I was on. Had some good barbeque on saturday at hard eight. Went to Bass Pro Shop and bought some clothes and got on the plane back to California.

I went to class today and am wondering if it is too early for that. Maybe I'll text Dr. P about it tomorrow. He said to take it easy the first week after surgery but that I could go back to work when I felt like it.

He said he did not study under Urshel. Said Urshel does transaxial and he actually passed away recently.

X-rays were taken b4 and after to make sure lungs were ok. Blood test b4 surgery to make sure kidneys ok. Had some trouble breathing during the first week and even considered going to ER, but didn't. It was worse when laying down and had more trouble breathing out than in. At the Dr. office, they noticed that my O2 saturation decreased when I layed down and said to go to the ER. I texted Dr. P and he said not to worry --- to continue using incentive spirometer, etc.

Will keep you all updated during my recovery. Dr. P said he doesn't usually do TOS surgery bilaterally. I wonder if I will need TOS surgery on the right side down the road.

Talk to y'all later.

Good Luck with your recovery! Take it easy and dont do things too fast.It sounds like you are happy with Dr. P!

Tostrojan,

I have been watching and waiting for you to report back on your surgery! I was even thinking that you had changed your mind. So glad to hear that everything went well. My daughter had surgery 6 months ago with Dr Pearl. she is doing very well...thank goodness. Keep us posted. Hope everything continues to go well for you

Thanks for the good vibes.
Glad to hear your daughter is doing so well. What kind of PT did she do and how long did she have to wait to start PT? Thanks.

She had to wait 2 1/2 weeks because of the holiday schedules. She did p/t for two months, and then Dr Pearl released her on her two month visit. She did mainly stretching, posture, and some strengthing. It really helped her.

Just found out Josh Beckett(dodgers) is having TOS surgery(dr Pearl). Wish him all the best and a successful recovery!