I Am New To This Site. It Is Great To See Im Not Alone In My Daily Cycle Of Pain. Im Going In For Surgery Next Wed For Tos From Auto Accident 4 Years Ago. Have Done Everything Else And On 2 Meds For Nerve Pain So This Is My Last Resort.i Have An Excellent Doc But Im Scared To Death. Has Anyone Had This Surgery And If So What Should I Expect When I Wake Up? Thanks For Any Help And I Wish All Some Relief In Your Struggles.

Hello - i just popped in for a moment but you may not get many replies due to the holiday -feel free check out our useful sticky links.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=84
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=135

that will give you plenty to read until more have time to reply.
Have a nice day

Hi welcome to us...

I have had first rib resection and scalenectomy. I too was scared but in my case it too was the last option.....I felt instant relief of pain......the pressure was gone immediately post op the pain I had was acute and not the nerve and chronic pain I felt. The post op pain was considerable and the people doing your surgery will have you set up with pain meds and keep you comfortable. You have to ensure this continues when you go home as well.

You may have a chest tube and it will be a little uncomfortable until it comes out. I felt as if someone was sitting on my chest for about three weeks after you will feel intense pain if not managed well. Acute pain is easier to treat then chronic.....make sure if you are already on meds that you get them to take this into consideration post op so that you are not in agony....this happened to me.....They did not listen to how much medication I was on and had to get it sorted...took quite some time but it worked out!!!

Patience is key! I found it hard to ask for help after the surgery but you don't want to undo all the surgery so get help for all things that cause pain post op....hopefully you won't have pain doing something......

Take care,
Victoria

Hi! I am new to this site but not new to TOS. I had the rib resection and scalenectomy in 2000. It took me about 1 year after surgery for all symptoms to go away but i believe that was do to the nerves repairing. Best of luck and make sure you have help. It is helpful to have someone in the hospital with you. When I had my surgery I was on a morphine pump. It helped to have a family member squeeze the pump for you. Plus, nurses are overworked and under staffed. Having someone with you can be very comforting. Best of luck.

I had the surgery a little over a year ago. I had too been through all the other opitions and this was the last thing that they could think of doing. Like you I was scared because I did not know what to expect. But my surgery went very well and I am very thankfull that I had it done. When I woke up from it my chest felt tight and that was really all for a while. I felt pretty good all and all but just very very tired. As the rest of the day went on I spent it in the hospital of course and realized somethings that were not easy to do.
Moving my arm was hard for me so I kept it at my side for a while to be honest. Coughing was not easy because your chest muscle were messed with for the surgery and laughing is not a good idea either. In the hospital I got sick for medicine and that caused me to vomit and that hurt the worst. I really did not have much pain at all to be honest. I had sometimes that were bad but I am the person that likes to see what I can do. I was back in the water swimming about a week after surgery. So I had a good surgery and my only suggestion is just try to take it easy and listen to your body. Also finding a way to sleep might be diffucult as well. I slept on my back because it was easiest. Eventually I slept on my stomach but kept a pillow under my shoulder so that it was softer on the side of my body. Then eventually I was able to sleep on my left side and then my right side (which is the side that I had surgery). I think that you will be fine! After about 2 days it is all up hill!