Yeah, that's what I read. Essentially, not removing the first rib and inserting a stent eventually results in the compression (that caused the problems in the first place) of the stent, leading to failure. Once the rib/scalene resection is done however, that should be a different story.

Did you have the surgery? I am 18 days post-op first rib resection. Had it done at Cleveland Clinic by head of vascular surgery. Curious how you are doing if you ended up having surgery.

Been awhile since I have been on here. After essentially firing my first surgeon and cancelling the surgery, I got a second opinion from an experienced surgeon. He wanted to re-do the venogram. Good thing we did. Two days later I went in for the test, and ended up having a heparin drip to try to de-clog the now 5 inch clot. They did angioplasty the next day, and rib/scalene resection 3 days later. Was in the hospital for almost 7 days (good food though). It's been a month now and I feel pretty good. I am still bruised up a bit from the angioplasty and blood thinners but I am getting there. The circulation will never be 100% as it was misdiagnosed for so very long. But, it's much better. Still a bit uncomfortable to sleep, I did quit smoking, and actually feel better than I have in 20 years. The hardest part for me............getting my gut back in synch. That morphine turns your belly into concrete!! I should have been taking Colace the first day in the hospital. You feeling good marlalemons?

I'm so glad the food was good with such a long hospital stay. Congrats on quitting smoking, I know it can be difficult.