Review Detail

I should have went to Dr. Jaroszewski first.

Doctor Jaroszewski saved my life after another "skilled surgeon" in chest wall reconstruction nearly killed me. I was conned into believing he was as good as Dr J and I would not have to travel across the country to see her.

The first thing you must know and understand before undergoing a Nuss procedure or any chest wall reconstruction procedure is that it isn't over until the hardware is removed and recovery is complete. It is not about when the bars go in its all about how your chest looks and feels after the ribs settle once they come out. Period.

You must have confidence in your surgeon that they have the artistic ability to foresee the entire process for your specific body type and rib structure. All people and their bodies are different and your surgeon must sense the strength and rigidity of your bony frame work while placing the bars to understand what must happen so that when the hardware is removed your new chest structure settles into a fine form. Chest wall surgery IS AN ART, its takes experience, confidence and, refined talent to create a superb end result - after the bars come out.

I did not understand this and I chose my first surgeon poorly and he nearly killed me.
What follows is my personal horror story and word of warning.

The man I went to initially had a great bedside manner, he talked the talk, he instilled a false sense of confidence in me towards his abilities. He made me believe he was "The Guy for the Job", it was all for show. After an initial bar placement (titanium bars because I tested positive for a nickel allergy) I woke up with my 'dent' only half reduced, my breasts sutured to the side of my ribs and, my rib flairs protruding further out than ever before. H really had a complete disregard of who I was as a small breasted person and never looked forward towards the end result to have a care how I would appear in the mirror. It turned out he cut through the lateral aspect of my breasts without even pushing the tissue up out of the way of his scalpel.

Eight weeks later after the lower bar flipped and entangled under the upper bar, I went into my first revision. This time he said "Don't worry, I got this." just before I went under but I was already committed. When I was finally brought out of anesthesia the following day after a ten hour surgery in which suffered multiple broken ribs, I found myself intubated and in deep fear and pain. This time he placed two stainless steel bars with three stabilizers and steel wire ties (not sutures) to secure everything in place. These are only a small portion of how badly he mutilated my body and I am still battling PTSD after waking up intubated and 'trapped inside my body' in pain with no way to communicate my needs. When I finally was able to look my 'dent' was only slightly more reduced than the first Nuss. In addition, I developed internal contact dermatitis that caused my body to grow new tissue inside of my chest to isolate the bars. Once the outside my skin was on fire, inflamed and painful we became aware of what was happening. As time wore on it became continually more difficult to breath and my heart to pump blood as my organs had less and less room to function. Sixteen months after my first revision Doctor Dawn Jaroszewski was kind enough to take me in and save my life.

Turns out my first surgeon, like many surgeons, was instructed by the manufacture sales representative in how to perform and place the Nuss bars. His fellowship and training did not include chest wall reconstruction. He was a cardiothoracic surgeon who like others was looking to increase his revenue stream by claiming and coning me into feeling like he was well trained and equipped to perform such surgeries.

If a Surgeon says they've been thoroughly trained in chest wall reconstruction question them fiercely, it may save your life. Ask about their fellowship training; where and what they focused on. If a surgeon tells you they've been trained ask them...
- Whom trained you?
- Where did it take place?
- How long did the attending supervise your work?
- How many procedures did you perform under direct supervision of a qualified chest wall surgeon?
- How many Nuss procedures have you performed to completion? (bars out)
- Do you have any patients willing to share their surgical experience with me?

Some folks will even say they've trained under Dr jaroszewski where as in reality they may have only spent a few hours in observation of a single procedure and never actually developed the hands on skills under direct supervision of a skilled chest wall surgeon. So listen carefully to the wording of their answers and question them fiercely.

Don't fall for the sales pitch - song and dance like I did, go see Doctor Dawn Jaroszewski at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale; the first time, the only time. Flat out I will tell you; few if any, have the vision, feel and, skills to perform chest wall reconstruction with as many highly successful outcomes as Dr jaroszewski. Take my advice from where ever you are hop on a train; plane or ,automobile, and get out to Scottsdale to see the only one whom has earned my trust and gratitude after undoing the mess another surgeon created and gave me a new and better lease on life. Dr Jaroszewski is easy to talk to her team is top notch and understand the special needs of pectus patients. The Mayo is a person centered, care focused, specialized hospital and the area is full of easy going things to see and do before and after your procedure. It's a long road so remember its not over until the tall lady takes those bars out and makes her final adjustments. You won't be disappointed.