Debra
I am 34 yrs. old. I have had the TOS surgery on both sides. My first surgery was in May of 1999 of the left side. Even though I was in a lot of pain after surgery I felt so much better. As you know it takes quite a long time to recover from the surgery. I went back to part-time work Jan,2000 but by May I couldn't bear the pain on my right side. Because it was considered to be on the job repetative stress injury I had to fight and I still am fighting workman's compensation. I was told before the first surgery that if you have TOS on one side, within 1 to 5 yrs. the opposite side will have to be fixed. After two years post-op on my left side it is much better, I still have a lot of cramping in my hand, but it does take up to 7 yrs. for all of the nerves to heal. As for my right side I had surgey April of this year, the severe pain has subsided, I'm getting my range of motion back. I still have a lot of numbness in my arm and hand which is to be expected as well as cramping. I still have to be careful and not over do it but I feel so much better. Even though in the beginning after surgery it seems to take a lot of time to feel better, don't gete discouraged because it does get better. I hope everything works out well for you.