Thank you both for responding. I saw my surgeon for the first time since the surgery (which was on 7/1) on 9/11 (which in of itself is a red flag) and unfortunately he didn’t say much. I stated my dissatisfaction with the axillary fold, and I suspect that he is also disappointed in the results. His body language suggested that he cared, but he said only what was absolutely necessary (perhaps for fear of litigation). He said that I should go to therapy (haven’t started d/t needing out of network approval).
When I asked more directly why my axillary fold protrudes, he cited the time from my injury to my surgery made it harder to get everything in place. I replied that it was only six weeks, that my injury was in the acute phase (not chronic), and that according to the medical journal articles I had read the time from injury to surgery is not of primary importance.
A delayed surgery is a little more complicated because of more adhesions that the surgeon must free and the greater retraction of the muscle. Maybe at two years a significant challenge, but not 6 weeks. (This is discussed thoroughly in an 2010 article co-authored by Dr. X, who is one of his surgical partners and also did shoulder surgery on my cousin 2 weeks after I had mine, btw).
What bothered me most was that his physician assistant, with my surgeon present in the room, actually offered to give me referrals of other surgeons I could see about this (one being Dr. X). Presumably that was pre-arranged with my surgeon to mention that? Regardless it was very strange. I mean, if you are my doctor and you are referring me the first time you have seen me post-surgically, what is that telling me?
This doctor is a team physician/surgeon for a major Chicago baseball club, btw.
I paid $14,500 out-of-pocket for my surgery (no insurance) so the fact that I am unhappy with the result sucks even more.
I will mention all of my concerns to my PT when I get to start therapy. I’ve also been thinking that PT may free up adhesions, like you mentioned, and improve my shoulder mobility. I am afraid that some mobility deficit will persist, and I know that the cosmetic aspect of my surgery will not improve on its own.