Well responding to one of Fern's posts this came up (for me)...about docs asking about my scar from my TOS surgery...let me explain.

Since I had my rib removal I have, on a number of occassions, had to see a health care professional...many docs at walk-in clinics, an ortho and an athletic therpist (for orthotics)...in all cases my TOS surgery has come up - either because of the meds listed as being taken by me, or because of my scar. In EVERY CASE the conversation has turned to my TOS surgery...being asked "did it work?", "what were your symptoms?", "who performed your surgery?", "are you back to work? do you plan to go back? what did you do?". In all honesty I love answering the questions because this is generally happening back in the town where I had a hard time getting a diagnosis so any word I can get out about TOS is bonus in my opinion.

My scar is still pretty visable...I suspect it always will be there since it is right on my collar bone...I am sure in time it will continue to go down but for now, it is still RIGHT THERE...

So do you folks get asked about your scar alot or is it just me?

Hi Jamy

I haven't gone for my surgery yet so i don't have a scar. But I can totally relate to DR's and medical staff questioning you about TOS when they see your list of med's or medical history - what symptoms you have, Dr's you've seen, medications your taking, alternative therapies tried etc.

Sometimes I don't mind answering the questions but other time it seems they're skeptical and not really sure if they "believe" me. Like you said though - spreading the word about TOS is a bonus - especially to Dr's that either have never really seen it before or are skeptical.

my scars are under my arms, so only my massage therapist has been curious. The PT's both knew what they were going to see.

My scars are above my clavicle and in my arm pit.. No one ever really asks me about them..

No one asks me cuz my scar is about 1/2 inch under my underarms, and it's almost invisible now (april 06, I'm a good healer). The drain little hole by my boobie is a little more noticeable, just a dot.

But no, no one ever sees my scar or even knows I had a surgery! Annest did me.

All the time!!!! My scar is a nasty red thing that is about 4 inches long, under my right collar bone. If I wear anything other than a t-shirt, it is noticeable. The most common thing people say is "Oh! What happened? Did you break your collar bone?"

From those (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) who knew what happened and why, upon seeing it for the first time, when it was new (and I still had stitches hanging out either end and/or it was still taped up) I had so many different reactions: I had two girlfriends actually cry, upon seeing it! Other people, would try to be nice (and try to hide the look of shock on their faces) and say, "Why dont you try some Vitamin E lotion on it or something?" or they would say "Its not that bad. In ten or twenty years, Im sure it wont even be noticeable anymore." My favorite reactions was from a male mountain biking buddy who said "Chicks with missing ribs are hot!" and my son who said "I like it, mom. Its your 'badge of honor'." Now that is what it is known as...

Mtnmom,

Cute...I like that...Badge of Honour! My nephew who is 3 1/2 was pretty scared of me when I had the tape over the stitches...he kinda just made a weird face at me...once the bandages came off, then the questions began, he wanted to look at it, touch it, whatever. Even now he is intrigued by it. Go figure!

hey,

You have seen mine.....the doc was amazing and glued mine shut.....I have little endowment.....a cup so perhaps that changes the pressure on the area and scarring......mine is barely visible you have to look very carefully to see it. So not many people ask about it....perhaps it is because I am pale as all hell and the scar is the same colour and that is why nobody can see it.

Take care.....glad the word is being spread to more people!!! Go girl!!!!

love and hugs
Victoria

I think right now because my PT, MT and chriro are still working aggressively on the scar area it is a lot more noticeable...if I don't have appts for a few days it seems to 'pale down'...mine was glued as well...all in all it isn't all that bad looking - although the lawyers tell me it looks aweful!

Jamy, are U going to try that silicon scar stuff that another thread listed. I think it was called cica-cure? I asked my surgeon about it and he said the silicon sheets are a current fad and that he doesn't think they do much. I prob. will try them anyways as posters here rec. them.