Hi, not sure if anyone will actually read this, but I figure I may as well post for anyone interested
I had surgery with
Dr. Karidis in 2012. For whatever reason, my serratus anterior muscle on one side never fully recovered from the surgery. I have an almost congealed fibrotic area (not immediately noticeable on the surface except when flexing) on the same side and as a result I get quite bad pain from the tension of the other muscles of my chest, shoulder and back up to my neck as they try to compensate for the paucity of tone in my serratus anterior.
As it has been some years since, I have rehabilitated myself as best as I could but it is still frustrating to have paid so much as to have lost such functionality in my body. Sitting on a chair can sometimes be uncomfortable as my scapula would wing (it has improved but plateaued) and the muscles towards my neck would burn from trying to hold my shoulder in the correct position (in vain).
For the fibrotic area on the chest, I have still troubles to connect my chest with my arms due to the disconnect the area causes in movement. It also looks imbalanced.
I was extraordinarily shy, and ashamed and worried before my surgery and afterwards. I didn't want anyone to know. I tried to bury my problems but it did cause me significant anguish privately that I couldn't stand straight, proud and relaxed in my own body as a result of my posture being antagonized by the lack of tone in this area. I considered scar injections to help with the fibrotic area, but reviews were mixed and I knew that the Dr doesn't seem to like doing them before I even went for a review.
I did go for a review check up with Karidis a few years later (I'm not from London). And before we could begin to discuss my problems or potential solutions (I did eventually get my point across; although it was barely received) Karidis was quick to fetch his camera so he could capture a 'success' story. I had to remind him that that was not something I would want in a month of Sunday's and bring back the follow up review to the crux that I wasn't happy and needed some solution (perhaps an adhesiotomy to reduce the congealed mess I spoke of earlier). He gave limp answers to the effect that there wasn't anything he could have done. He also seemed offended to think that he might have damaged my long thoracic nerve (the nerve responsible for the serratus anterior) even thought mine worked just fine before the surgery. In short, he was f'in useless. Limp and withering at best and it was very apparent that the camera he was so keen to force on me was the only thing he had seemed concerned about in the entire appointment.
As I left, I mentioned his behaviour to some other patrons in the lobby. Later I received some information from him about pain management consultants (expensive) in lieu of any treatment options put forward (or even taken into consideration) by himself. I am not so shy anymore. I've learned to live with what is now a fact of my life (that this part of my body may never work as designed again) and although the cosmetic side is improved, I still have awkward lines of scar and sagging on one side (guess which one?). I just figured as I returned to this forum that I would explain some of my path following surgery and to advise that once your surgery with K is complete; don't hold your breath in expecting aftercare; unless you have a great result and are happy to jump in front of his camera.
I'm still in pain (mainly in my back from the tension caused by the disruption to the chest) everyday.
L
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