3 weeks post-op from second side…Unusual symptoms, just looking for some two cents.
Hi there.
I have bilateral TOS— first diagnosed nTOS on my right side in 2020 after 2 years searching for answers, got the trifecta (first rib resection (they left 1/4 of my rib), scalenectomy (middle and anterior), and brachial plexus neurolysis in May 2021 done by vascular surgeon. October 2021 they did a pec minor release. Will attach photos so you can see their approach
It took years to feel okay again but I got there. Fast forward to March of 2026, I went to a thoracic surgeon as I had concerns of scar tissue build up and just wanted a check in as pain was starting to come back and I was having trouble working out regularly. Turns out my right thoracic outlet has been completely freed (yay!) which they were surprised about given the approach they used and how aggressive they got with surgery. Unfortunately, my left side showed even more severe compression of the TO (nTOS and vTOS) than it did when I started my journey on my right. A month later, I had my final first rib removed. (Left)
This team used a robotic approach and did the four incisions on the chest wall. They only removed the entire rib, didn’t touch anything else. Recovery has been a breeze. Absolutely incredible and like night and day difference than my first go around.
I started PT 1 1/2 post op and learned than my left (recent surgery) side has more range of motion than my right (5 years post op) side. Since this recovery has been so easy and my TOS symptoms on my left are gone, I have been overdoing things in my day to day. Wrong choice.
Weird, but I have been resting tachycardia since my surgery. I’m taking 110-145 resting at all times. I feel like garbage, fatigued super easily. I thought I was having a heart attack about a week ago and almost called 911, just waited it out. I look drained and pale. I’ve been dismissing myself as I just had major surgery…. Like most of us, medically traumatized from being told it’s just my anxiety, nothings wrong… we did rule out a PE which is great.
Yesterday, I started having severe pain in my right (5 years post op) side. TOS pain. Pre surgery I had a winged scapula, and I just noticed today it is even worse than before. No one ever did anything about it besides PT, but it never went back to ‘normal’. I’ve had winged scapulas for atleast 10 years. My left is not winged. My right is significantly winged and I can ‘push’ it out extremely far. I can barely lift my right arm, the pain is severe. Also a lot of pain in the right chest wall towards my collarbone. I touched base with my team today and they said it was likely a second rib fracture. I opted not to go for a CTA today because I’m just so exhausted from all of this but may go tomorrow?
I also have an echo Thursday along with a holter monitor placement.
I don’t understand what’s going on. We’re putting me back on oxy and upping the gabapentin. I am on Celebrex and good ol Tylenol.
Would love to know any insight on recommendations, similar experiences. Just confused. And it’s difficult reporting back to PCP - thoracic surgery - and PT and I feel like such a burden reporting something new everyday. My bloodwork all looked good as of a few days ago, nothing out of the ordinary. BPM today resting was likely 120, BP was normal, ox was normal. I’m constantly catching my breath but no significant pain breathing in. Thanks all. Attaching photos if helpful. —
First is after pec minor release, you can see the trifecta scar healed above. Second is of my recent rib resection. Only 3/4 scars pictured. And yes, two of the incisions were rejecting the sutures for whatever reason. I did get that sorted out. It’s been a journey. lol