I've met with one of my surgeons so far and he's decided that my only option is surgery to correct my TOS. I'm not really quite sure how he decided that for himself since he barely examined me didn't do any testing.
My concern is not that he's wrong about TOS, I've been diagnosed with it before in 2008, my symptoms are classic, everything else has been ruled out by other specialists, and I've already completed many rounds of different types of physical therapy with no results. I am concerned about how he could know that I need a first rib resection (no mention of scalenectomy but obviously very rushed with me and the hospital website does say that they treat TOS with a first rib resection and scalenectomy) or be prepared for preforming the surgery without any real imaging. I've not even been diagnosed with a TYPE of TOS though my symptoms point to arterial and neurogenic.
I meet with the other surgeon on the 14th and he is aware that I need a surgical consult and I've been told they do a complete job with that so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is a better experience and the other guy just had poor bedside manner. Unfortunately, I'm on Medicaid and these surgeons are my only option. Fortunately, they have absolutely fantastic records and reviews from other patients.
Can someone tell me if there are any tests I should absolutely insist on prior to surgery to make sure I (they) know what type of TOS they are dealing with and where, exactly, the compression is? I guess I'm very concerned that they just assume that it's classic TOS when I also have very tight pec minors and feel like I'm being stabbed in the armpit all the time. I don't want to go under the knife 20 times to get this all figured out, I want them to do only what they need to do and get it right the first time! As it is I have bilateral symptoms so I'll have to go at least twice. I want to feel better!
Also, if you feel comfortable, please give me a list of any medications you were prescribed before/during/after surgery so I can do the research on the different meds in regards to breastfeeding. I know every doctor does it differently, I just want to have some sort of idea of what to expect. Thank you in advance! You guys are wonderful.

I think you should think about re-framing this. You stated previously that this doctor squeezed you in and did not really have time to see you. The thoracic surgeon that you will see will spend more time discussing the surgery with you I am sure. Bring a list of all of your questions. Many of the issues cannot be detected until they actually open you up. that is why it is important to have skilled surgeons who can make the decisions then about what to do. If you read many of the posts here, you will see that people report that over and over. Try not to worry- you will have your surgical consult next week and then you can decide what to do.

Are you breast feeding now, and plan to continue after surgery?
I may have missed the timing on that.

Yes, I am currently pumping for my baby (she never learned to feed at breast due to prematurity) and I plan to continue doing so if at all possible afterwards. A lot of medications can be safely used while breastfeeding (even morphine, surprisingly) but a lot of medications also cannot. I have 50 days worth of milk in the freezer and, as she will be 15 months old so I have options. I'd just prefer to do the research before surgery so I can think clearly.

You are right. Morphine is ok. Moms with c sections can take it post delivery and nurse. Can you ask your pediatrician for a list?

I can, but I trust my own research more since the physician's desk reference is really not very accurate in terms of what's safe and what's not. It just wasn't tested so it doesn't have the information. Dr. Hale has the best information since he's the only one testing anything. It would be easy for me to look up all the pain killers but I don't know what else people may have had to take (blood thinners, antibiotics, antinflamitories, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety...) all of a sudden that leaves me with a list that is huge so I was hoping that I could get an idea about what to expect level-wise (post op morphine or percocet?) you know what I mean? Then it would make my work a little easier. It's not always easy to do all this typing!! :-)