Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski

My pectus developed while I was going through my teenage years. I started having other physical issues like shortness of breath, fainting spells, and what my family doctor diagnosed as exercise induced asthma. I didn't realize that all of these symptoms I was having were related to the pectus until I read a thread on reddit about "things that are weird about your body" and some people were talking about having 'holes' in their chests and someone replied that you could have surgery for that and so I started following the links and reading more about pectus and the physiological symptoms it can cause and the Nuss procedure. Well that started my journey toward surgery. The challenge was finding a surgeon who was experienced in the nuss procedure on adults. Long story short, after meeting with two other surgeons in Texas, I found Dr J's videos and info online and put in a request through Mayo's website to have her office contact me. It wasn't long before Kelly Myers, the pectus coordinator, called and was so helpful in walking us through all of the steps that we needed to take, what to expect, etc. I felt so relieved when Dr J accepted my case. Both she and Mayo have great reputations. I mean, she helps train other surgeons in this procedure! My mom and I flew out to Phoenix for the surgery in December. Since my chest was asymmetrical and my Haller Index was 6.25 Dr J said she probably wouldn't be able to get it perfect, that one side would probably be a little lower than the other, but she was actually able to to get it almost perfect. I do have some rib flare still on the left side (the side the dent was on) that I guess she couldn't do anything about but, overall, I'm very pleased. My surgery was on a Friday and I got out on Sunday, so a relatively short hospital stay. I don't think the pain while I was in the hospital ever got above a 2. The nurses were great and all familiar with the procedure so they were able to give explanations and tips. My mom and I stayed in the Residence Inn there in the hospital campus and I had a couple of issues while there that caused my pain level to shoot up fairly high briefly but, for the most part, it was manageable. If yiu get the hiccups or have to cough or sneeze it hurts like crazy, though! Six days post op were were able to fly back to Texas. Dr J was really easy to talk to, listened to your questions and concerns, and explained everything in an easy to understand way. I felt very comfortable with her and confident in her ability. Kelly was also very helpful. Dr. J's whole team was very friendly and helpful. Oh, and she's from Texas! I'm 5 weeks post op now and off of all Meds except occasional Ibuprofen. There is still some pain, but nothing too bad. Mostly just trying to get used to the bars. Overall I'm really pleased with my overall experience and am looking forward to feeling better than ever!

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.

I did quite a bit of research before settling on Dr. J. She had certain techniques that set her apart from her peers. When I inquired at 2 of the leading competitive hospitals if I could expect the same techniques and care as Dr.J I was left unassured.
I became frustrated at one point,which is not uncommon at all during the testing and scheduling phase. I found myself being completely selfish as to why I just couldn't get this thing scheduled and done and over.
Then I had a "vision" ..so to speak. Dr.J was this incredibly gifted individual with special skills only she and a handful of people in the world posses. The vision was of an endless line of people that stretched around the world who all suffered from pectus and were waiting on her to solve their problem. I became filled with compassion when I realized what an immense responsibility has been laid on her shoulders, and the incredible struggle it must be between wanting to save the world and maintain a healthy and sane life of her own. I never shared that with her, but I did have to apologize to Kelly Meyers, her coordinator....who is the best. She was on the receiving end of some of my impatient emails.
After having gone through it my expectations were far exceeded in the final appearance, but also in the treatment and care by the entire staff.
When I was 13 years old my pectus had developed to a point where my sternum was almost touching my backbone and was putting a tremendous amount of pressure on my heart and reduced my lung capacity. I remember having difficulty walking to and from school,riding my bike or any physical activities..so I tended to be a nerd, reading books and playing with computers.
At 13 there was what was considered the best option at the time something called a Ravitch procedure. This is where they go in and cut out the portions of the cartilage and bone that cause the defect.In my case they took out a large amount and left me basically with what is called a floating sternum, where the ribs and sternum are not necessarily attached but just kind of "floating" there.
After the first surgery I felt some relief and got into lifting weights.Up until I was about 18 I felt good but then I noticed things were not working the way they should. I am 6'6 and a lot of growth happened between the surgery at 13 and 18 years old.
I had increasingly more difficulty with exercise and doctors continually wrote it off as 'Asthma" and had prescribed for me the highest amount of medications...2 inhalers and 3 diferent pills as well as sinus sprays.
I knew it was more than asthma so went back to my original surgeon and was told there was nothing more they could do for me.
I went to the Mayo Clinic Rochester in 2006 and within 5 minutes of being in the office was told the only thing they could do for me was block the pain in my spine.

I went to Loyola University and again was told there was nothing they could do for me.

I continually did research on the internet until I came across the research of Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. She had taken a newer technique called the Nuss which was being used on younger patients. She had taken that procedure put some of her own fine details into it that was giving results far above what other surgeons were achieving...plus she was one of only a few surgeons in the world to be doing it on old guys like me...now 45 years old!
One thing that set her apart is that she used 4 different tests to detect the effect the pectus was actually having on my body.
I remember after having an ultrasound of my heart and ekg which she ordered with my general practioner, the stunned look on his face and the scratching of his head as he was viewing the results as he walked into the room I was in.
With a pale face, he said "What do you need me to do?"
He realized that the pectus had been compressing the top of my heart and now after the surgery Dr.J confirmed the aorta was rubbing against the sternum and is now permanently scarred but they were able to increase the space to prevent any further problems.
It was because of her knowledge and compassion that she helped develop the hybrid redo procedure for old guys like me and I am forever grateful.
Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski and her team at the Mayo in Phoenix are the ones to see.
Immediately after the surgery I experienced the relief of what I've termed "ghost symptoms", where I would wake up in the middle of the night struggling for air and reaching for my asthma inhaler to not have any relief. Since then I have not had any such symptoms and have not used my inhaler. I know it's still early but I have high hopes things will only get better.

We are Italian and came to Phoenix to have Dr. Jaroszewski as a surgeon. This is my second review for Dr. Jaroszewski, who implanted two bars to my son Marco in July 2017, when he was 13 yo (please see the review "An Insuperable Pectus Surgeon" August 20, 2017"). Three years have flown by and, the time has finally come to remove the bars.
The preop-visit with Dr. Jaroszewski was a very intense moment. It was like a reunion with a close relative of our family that we hadn't seen for three years. We were greeted wonderfully by her and her staff (thanks to Megan and Michelle, and also to Carla for organizing everything).
Dr. Jaroszewski examined my son's chest and said that all looked great! She explained to us how the intervention would take place, the possible complications, and how these would eventually be addressed, including her personal case histories.
She told us that, during the surgery, they would monitor Marco's cardiac functions using transesophageal echocardiography to be sure that, during and after the bars extraction, no hemodynamic hearth changes or pericardial effusion takes place.
She also explained to us that besides the general anesthesia, they would carry out regional nerve block anesthesia to improve the management of postoperative pain. She also informed us about pain control therapy.
Our surgery was scheduled for the next day. After the check-in, the staff of Dr. Jaroszewski started the pre-surgery procedures. Mayo Clinic is a superb and wonderful structure where everything works perfectly.
All the nurses who prepared Marco for the surgery were very efficient and professional, and all of them had a smile and comforting words of encouragement. Even a nurse who spoke in Italian came to welcome us (thanks to everyone!).
I was impressed by the anesthesiologist, Dr. Brad Smith, who explained to me the detail of the regional nerve blockade. I undoubtedly accepted the procedure because I understand the benefits, and for the total trust, I have in Dr. Jaroszewski and her staff.
Dr. Smith immediately carried out the procedure on Marco in an echo-guided way. Dr. Jaroszewski was also present in the room to monitor the situation.
At that point, I moved to the waiting room and Marco to the surgery room. Every parent knows how hard this moment is. I was in contact by phone with my wife, who was waiting at home close to Mayo (during COVID emergency only one parent could be present).
We were worried but aware that our son was in the talented hands of Dr. Jaroszewski, the best hands of our planet. This has given us priceless relief and comfort. We could not have found better for our son. This exceptional and talented woman knows all about pectus and recognizes every sign even before things can happen.
After about 50 min the Mayo Clinic monitor signaled to me they almost finished the surgery, and Dr. Jaroszewski joined me in the waiting room to inform me that everything had gone very well. She gave me the two bars that had been in my son's chest for three long years.
I moved to the recovery area where I found Marco completely awake. He was drinking some water, and he reported only minor pains.
The operation went well not only from the functional side but also from an aesthetical standpoint (no regression at all). Dr. Smith came in the recovery room to control my son, and also Dr. Jaroszewski checked Marco once more time to be sure that all had gone well.
After a short walk in the recovery room, Marco got dressed, and we went home in Phoenix (after almost 3 hours from the starting of the surgery). At home, Marco immediately walked and ate with appetite.
The surgical procedure went very well, and the regional blockade worked great. Marco used only Ibuprofen and Tylenol the first two days post-surgery, and then only occasional Ibuprofen.
The next day Marco had the x-rays exam and a control-visit with Michelle Peterson. Everything turned out to be perfect, and the incisions looked very good. Marco also met a very gentle social assistant to answer some surveys about our family and his condition.
At the postoperative visit, seven days after surgery, Dr. Jaroszewski found Marco very well and ready to face the long trip to Italy.
It was a very loving moment. Marco was so grateful to Dr. Jaroszewski. He would have liked to embrace her, but it was not possible for the anti-COVID rules. Marco gave her a letter and a present that he likes so much.
Dr. Jaroszewski explained to us what physical exercises to be done to counteract the internal scarring (forming where the bars were previously positioned), which tightens and could cause some regression.
We are now at home, and after two weeks my son feels very better. He is making his exercises without problems.
I am grateful to Dr. Jaroszewski for everything she has done for us. She an extraordinary person also on the human side, very attentive and sensible to understand our situation and help us at her best. Everything exceeded my expectations!
I highly recommend Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski to everyone that has Pectus Excavatum. Please, don't waste time and money, here you can find all the knowledge about pectus excavatum and all the relevant updates of the Nuss surgery. For example, she has introduced nerve cryoablation to eliminate the post-op pain of the Nuss. Now, after the surgery, you can move freely, and no more opioids are necessary to control the pain.
Grazie Dr. Jaroszewski.
Angelo

I was 12 years old when I first knew I had something wrong with me. My pediatrician at the time really didn't have a medical opinion for me, it just wasn't something that was taken seriously and he told me, "That's just the way God made you". While I appreciated that and left thinking that it was only a cosmetic issue and that I just had to live with it. The condition bothered me all my life, I was always behind my peers in fitness, thought I didn't attribute that to pectus, and I avoided taking my shirt off in public all my life. I always felt "less" than I should and it bothered me and prevented me from being and feeling like the person I should be. Fast forward 39 years by chance I saw Dr. J giving a lecture about this condition and I was floored, I couldn't believe someone understood this condition and had a passion to drive awareness and treatment. I contacted Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Sept 2020 and had a teleconference with Dr J to talk about my case and the steps needed to determine the necessity of repair. I was immediately confident that I had contacted the best doctor and one of the foremost experts in understanding and innovating treatment for pectus. I wanted a doctor that handled not a few, but hundreds of adult cases at a facility with a top notch team. I found all of that at Mayo and Dr J and her team of highly competent professionals. Mayo has truly mechanized medicine I have never received care like I did at Mayo. On April 1, 2021 I had my procedure and I am just two weeks into recovery as I write this review. My biggest fear was a long painful recovery and I actually overprepared to make sure that I could be independent in what I believed would be weeks of agony. Dr J and Mayo, however, are at the forefront of pain management and I was given the option of cryoablation rather than opioids which really don't work well for me. Still I expected to be helpless. In fact I expected to be in the hospital for 3-4 days and made care arrangements based on that belief. It was actually kind of funny when I conveyed these plans in preop I could see that Dr J and the team kind of smile but were willing to accommodate extra days if I needed them. When I woke up I found myself in recovery feeling pretty darn good and was up and walking around in no time. Even the supporting nurses in recovery when they saw me walk out of the room, which I wasn't supposed to do, with my IV look up and I could see the surprise and one just said "I can't believe it". I was out of the hospital the next day after quickly changing my travel plans and assuring Dr J that I had a responsible adult to take me back to my hotel. 7 days later I had my postop follow up and was cleared to travel back home to Colorado. I was given a number of prescriptions but Ibuprofen and Tylenol are really all I have needed and I feel so thankful that I am on the mend and feel better every day. Today I feel like I am breathing for the first time and the physical appearance of my chest makes me shed a tear every time I look at myself in the mirror. Mayo and Dr J changed my life and I encourage anyone who thinks they have a chest wall deformity to seek help, do research, find the best doctor you can, and for me that is Mayo Clinic and Dr. Jaroszewski and her team of experts that are the Gold Standard of treatment and care. God may have made me the way I was, but Dr. J made me better and I am forever thankful and looking forward to working my way through this 3 year journey in partnership with my primary care provider and Dr. J's team.