I am two and half weeks post op. I had my left top rib removed.

My problem is now, at times, my arm feels like it isn't getting all the blood flow it should. Feels like it is going numb like it did before surgery.

Is this just from swelling or did my surgery not do any good?!!!

It's probably too soon to tell. I had numbness following surgery and it resolved over time. My surgeon also said it takes 6-12 month for the inflammation to dissipate. So try to be patient and really listen to your body. If some activity brings on the symptoms, try to avoid doing it while you heal.

In my experience, surgery is a quick fix for very few people. It's not like a light switch you just flick on. It's a process to recover. I don't think there is cause to panic.

Good luck,
Kelly

Easier said than done, I know...but then I'm not just saying it, I've done it myself and gone through it with two kids...so I know its hard, but healing well takes time and patience. The feelings you describ sound very familiar, at two and three weeks postop I remember doubting the decision to have surgery. But now, I am SO glad I did! I would never want to go back to the constant awful pain I had. Things arent perfect postop for me, but way improved.
You will move on and heal and do well--lots of water, rest and daily ROm movements, go easy, stay positive, ask for help, youre going to do just fine
Gentle hugs~

Thanks Robin! Exactly what I needed to hear! I am three weeks post op and still have swelling of my upper arm and numbness down to my hand like I did before surgery. I don't go to my doctor for my first visit for another couple weeks so I am hoping I feel alot better by then!

I had a lot of scar tissue surrounding the brachial plexus on the left side. The neurolysis to clean this up during surgery increased my ulnar numbess. If I recall, it didn't start improving until I started physical therapy (8 weeks post surgery?).