Saw my [original] vascular surgeon for follow-up to angio today. He has a few names of surgeons, but his first choice is Jeffrey Ballard at St. Joseph Medical Center in Orange, CA.

My second opinion doc recommends Dr. Sam Baradarian at Sharp in San Diego/Oceanside, CA.

Has anybody heard of either of these surgeons? Or can you recommend any others in San Diego, San Bernardino, or Riverside Counties? Can also go to Orange and/or Los Angeles Counties, but it's pretty far.

Unfortunately, I have an HMO (Aetna) - so I'm sure my choices are limited.

Looking forward to your input -

Carrie

HI THERE from an OC TOS patient!
I have not heard of these 2 surgeons. I really wish you would try working with your insurance and get a second opinion from one of the great Neuro's we have available before heading off to surgery.
olecyn

Thanks for your reply. Actually, Dr. Baradarian is in San Diego at Sharps. I have two opinions already and my 3rd will be next Tuesday morning with Dr. Ballard. I'm really hoping he'll say no to surgery, but neither of my 1st two opinions can see a way around it. Reason being, the biggest problem is vascular, not neurological. I might be able to find a way to "live with" the neurological symptoms of pain, numbness, weakness, etc. But, I just can't make do without my arterial blood flow - darn it!

I actually begged my vascular surgeon to try PT and/or weight loss, etc., etc., etc. He didn't respond with, "That may or may not work," but rather, "That won't work; it's an anatomical issue, not a space issue - there are two bones rubbing against each other with a major artery, vein, and nerve stuck in between. No amount of PT, etc. is going to change it."

So I asked, "Well, why didn't I have this problem last year, then - if it's just the way my body is?" He responded, "Any number of injuries or aging mechanisms could have subtly caused your condition, but it won't get better, and it won't go away." Naturally, that is NOT what I wanted to hear and all I really want to do is find someone to contradict him.

I'm actually not even being referred to a neurosurgeon, but a thoracic vascular surgeon. Does anybody know any of those? Help, please!

Thanks,
Carrie

HI Carrie,

Both Dr Sam Ahn here in LA (private practice) and Dr. Gelabert at UCLA are both vascular surgeons as opposed to neuro surgeons. I would seek an opinion from either of these two men. I would say Dr Ahn probably does more TOS surgeries than anyone in the area.

I know its a long way to travel but atleast its being seen by some of the top TOS vascular docs.

You might also try the denver guys (all vascular guys). I believe one of them would be willing to do a phone consult. Not indepth but he could give you some insight as well.

Shelley

Thank you so much! I think you might have already given me those names, but I had forgotten. I'll definitely see if I can somehow get referred to at least consult with them. Did you already tell me the names in Denver? I'll check back to the other post. I didn't think they'd talk to me on the phone about it - that's cool.

UCLA isn't really that far considering what it's for - even Denver is close enough, huh? Will let you know what I find out.

I think the denver doc that will do a phone consult is Dr Richard Sanders. THere may be contact informatin for him up in the stickies above.

Will probably be easier to get a consult with Dr Ahn before Dr Gelabert. UCLA can be a lng wait

Hey gals,
if she has copies of her films, test results & reports can she send them to the any of Denver guys?
So they actually have something to look at?

I can't remember if that was done by some in the past, to get a little more info from the docs there before making a trip.

yeah Jo I think several people sent their reports to Sanders for a consult. Great idea

o2bponca-
sorry to hear that there's so much going on. it is overwhelming! I was referred to a thoracic vascular surgeon by my pain mgmt doc (who is a neurologist also) to get his opinon on surgery. He thought it might help, but was hesitant to recommend surgery for me b/c the problem seems to be neurologic. I saw him about a year later for a follow-up, and we came to the same conclusion (for now) that non-surgical treatment is a better alternative for me. ANyways, to answer your question, a thoracic-vascular surgeon is just a doc that specializes in this region of the body. When the doc i saw would operate on a TOS patient, he would operate in conjunction with a neurosurgeon.

good luck.... there is lots of good information around here, and welcome!

I have had three surgeries (two rib resections and one scalenectomy) with Dr Ahn and really like him a lot. Very technical, very smart. Don't let them send you to his junior partner- see HIM. One of the very best in TOS surgery in the country, right here in our own back yard. Don't miss the opportunity.

Dr Sam Ahn
University Vasular
1082 Glendon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 209-2113

Vascular cases often have better prognosis for recovery than neurological. ihaven't read up on your situation too much, but that is a general rule of thumb...of course there are no guarantees in life and all....

Good luck

Johanna