Hi all, I'm nearly 3 weeks post rib resection surgery for TOS

I'm so glad you posted this. I'm almost 7 weeks past (my right side...left side was done 2 years ago) and my nerve pain is really bad this time. And that nerve pain with the cold thing is happening for me too still. I was worried about that since I'm this far along. The pain and numbness is better but still bad in the evenings. Its such a slow recovery. People ask me all the time..so are you fully recovered now? Far from it. Don't get me wrong it's better, but far from awesome. I'm so glad someone else has the cold thing! That was really scaring me! It'll get better, but not for a long time. It was 3 months the last time to start to really feel better and six months to feel way better.

I thought I would chime in for the sake of others. This site has been nice to refer to! I have had three surgeries this year due to TOS. The first removed a blood clot in the artery in my arm (which began the discovery process of my TOS. Never any prior pain.) Turns out I had cervical ribs which, along with working out, caused crowding. Easy blood clot removal surgery! Then, I spent eight days in the hospital getting Coumadin doses correct (I had aneurisms in both subclavian arteries.) The first surgery to remove the clavicle rib and the first rib (which were jointed together) and have a bipass in the artery, took about three hours. I went home the next day with Percocet ((10mg oxy with 325 acetaminophen.) After a midnight phone call to the nurse they allowed 2 tablets every six hours vs the one every four hours. That worked much better! I am five months post op and the back of my arm and elbow still have tenderness and sensitivity but overall, fantastic recovery..in two weeks I was feeling pretty great. A month ago I had the second surgery. No bipass but both ribs removed again. The pain level for this recovery has been pretty bad. I went to ER to have a recheck because nothing was cutting the night pain! The ultrasound showed fluid under my armpit from the surgery but it was controversial between the vascular surgeons if this would cause additional pain. I have been told "hang in there" it will get better. I am on refill number three already. I was off meds in two weeks the last time except for an occasional night time pill here and there. I still wake up multiple times for pain meds. I slept on the couch for over a week and I still ice at night to curb the pain. At least it isn't unbearable anymore. I do have a gabapentin rx waiting for me to pick up but I'm hopeful to "hang in there" without it. I think the differences in healing comes down to the work done on the operating table. Although my surgeon (who is amazing) said the first surgery was in his top ten most difficult (25+years practicing) the recovery was quick and awesome. The second main surgery he said was easy but the recovery has been a bit of a nightmare. I believe it has to do with how badly the nevers get stretched and bothered. There are so many in this small area. I am hopeful to all going through this that you do your research on the surgeon to get your best result. I am a 53 year old female and pretty fit. I will be on baby aspirin for life now because of the bipass. I am told a year is the true measure of the recovery so I am hopeful to be as good as new. For the recent surgery, my pointer and index finger as well as my palm, have tingling and shooting pains still. I believe it will all take care of itself in time. Good luck to those going through this!! Oh.. and I asked for every possible anti nausea med for the operation and both times I felt great coming out of it (they even gave me a behind the ear patch