Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski

Discovering you have pectus excavatum isn't an easy thing to handle. When I saw my initial CT scan it was scary, and the thought of undergoing such a major operation was terrifying.

After scouring the internet for information on pectus excavatum repair, I came across Dr. Jaroszewski and her team through a YouTube video.
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From the very first phone call they assured me that everything was going to be alright. They've walked me to and from the operating room and have been supportive throughout the entire process. Dr. J has been a fantastic surgeon and easily my favorite doctor of all time.
​My experience at Mayo Clinic has been fantastic, and worth flying across the country for. Some superheroes wear capes; mine wear scrubs

Dr. J and all of the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix are outstanding. After spending at least 40 hours researching the condition and surgeons, I phoned Kelly Myers, the pectus coordinator, who is so knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to her work that I knew I had found the right place to have surgery.

While my Haller index was only 3.27, I had compression of the right side of my heart reducing capacity to 80 percent of normal. For years I had felt a lack of energy which seemed to get much worse in the past nine months. Most days I had to lie down in the afternoon due to being tired. In the morning, even after being in bed for eight hours, I would wake still tired.

I travelled to Phoenix alone and had surgery on November 29 and three bars were installed. Rather than the epidural I opted for the On-Q pain pump. Had a full meal the day of surgery and walked inside the hospital that evening. The following day I went outside for a walk in the hospital garden. On a scale of 0 to 10, my pain level never really surpassed a 1. A little GI discomfort on December 1st but it only lasted a few hours. I was discharged on December 2nd, went to the hotel and then did some grocery shopping. Everything was so much easier than expected that I started to think of this as an odd little vacation.

Besides being a very dedicated and thoughtful person, Dr. J is an absolutely first-rate surgeon who has introduced innovations to the procedure which made her the stand alone choice for my surgery. Among improvements is the unique method of elevating the sternum before placing the bars which I attribute to reduced pain and a better outcome.

One month after surgery and I feel great. I sleep through the night and wake up refreshed. I have a desire to do things that a few months ago would have been passed up due to lack of energy. Further, my chest looks good and with some conditioning I plan to visit the beach this summer without a shirt.

Without a doubt one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life! There are so many things I could say here but this is a surgeon review of Dr. J....

Dr. J. is a wonderful surgeon who is easy to talk to, understands the condition, explains exactly what needs to be done and deserves all the accolades being lavished on her in these reviews but her entire team is top notch. I got on a plane and flew thousands of miles because of my total faith in Dr. J and her staff and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend anyone looking to have a PE correction to contact Dr. J at the Mayo Clinic.

And now just some ramblings about my personal experience:

I had, for lack of a better term, PE induced Heart Failure. My body had been working with about 65% heart function for ... no one knows how long... but I would say 10 to 15 years looking back at how I had been feeling.

My pain level from the actual procedure was ZERO. The only reason I have a 5 as my highest pain level and not a ZERO is because I had a lot of trouble with constipation, gas and bloating during my last day in the hospital (caused by the pain medications) and YES, the pain from gas and bloating was THAT BAD.

Had my surgery performed on the 15th of October, released from hospital on the 17th, final check on the 21st, flew home on the 22nd and here I am totally pleased with the results and other than the problems with constipation (which I still have, heck it's only been a WEEK) I have not felt this good in a long time (YEARS, if not DECADES)! I sleep through the night, wake up feeling refreshed and look forward to a future of improved health and more energy. And also, an aesthetically pleasing chest that I do not fear showing to others.

My experience with Dr J and the Mayo clinic was exceptional. I was a difficult case. I had an implant for almost 30 years that had to be removed. During the removal and Nuss procedure, Dr J also found damage to my pectoral and rectus abdominus muscles. She was able to cut and reattach those muscles as well as install 3 bars to correct my PE. Prior to the surgery, she talked with me at length and took the time to get to know me, and my expectations. She gave me an honest assessment of what she felt I could expect, and then exceeded those expectations. My sternum is as flat as a board. I have resumed a high level of athletic participation, including heavy contact sports. My health and appearance are both a 10!

I have to firewall 10 for Dr. Jaroszewski. Everything about her and my experience far exceeded all expectations! Correspondence was never an issue for me, in-fact I emailed directly with Dr. Jaroszewski on more than one occasion. Dr. J is freakishly friendly and very clear explaining all possible surgical outcomes. I feel fortunate to have had her as a surgeon. She is a wonderful person and a surgical prodigy!