Hi @sclindajanssen and @astaingegerdm

Thanks for the info, I had come across this but didn't want to believe it. Doctors, consultants and surgeons are considered to be some of the smartest people in society, how can such intelligent people base everything on such a study. They would second guess the dead rather than listen to the living! Looking at MALs in dead people has far too many variables for them to even draw a hypothesis. Because of this belief MALs will stay as a condition of exclusion. MALs sufferers worldwide will continue to suffer silently undergoing unnecessary operations and years of diagnostic procedures making it too late to treat when they do finally find the compression. It takes guts to speak out against this like Dr Hsu from Connecticut who I believe is not very popular amongst fellow surgeon because of how he treats MALs. Sometimes it takes a pioneer to push the boundaries of what we know to change how others think. If I could afford to be treated by Dr Hsu I would fly out to America tomorrow. I think it is up to us the sufferers to help with that change in mindset by demanding similar surgery from our surgeons, it seems that the earlier the treatment with extensive cutting back of the ligament and Nerve bundle the better the prognosis.

I have a few questions about symptoms & surgery,My primary doctor ordered a CT scan because I had a chronic cough they couldn’t figure it out.Radiology found the crossed ligament by accident.Primary sent me to a vascular surgeon and he sent me to a surgeon to be evaluated.During that appointment,the Dr asked me several questions about symptoms.He asked me about tummy trouble,I told him sometimes I get constipated for several days then get nervous and take laxatives to help.When I do eat,my stomach kinda bloats & I get a sharp pain under my diaphragm that last a few hours(but I’m not doubling over screaming in pain).Because I’ve lost weight,about 10 pounds this year) He asked about me eating. I told him that I eat very little &sometimes avoid it cuz I know my stomach‘s going to get bloated. Based on my symptoms & the CT he thought I had MALS but wanted to do more tests.He ordered an US Abdomen Limited & a VL visceral/ mesenteric test.He called 2 days ago to tell me the results.It reflected the blood flow percentage in that area was lower so they suspect compression is altering it.He wants me to come back in to discuss options and surgery.I’m devastated & scared when they mention surgery. Especially when I hear of the long recovery time.My questions; what if my symptoms are caused by something else?I have chronic migraines so maybe I am losing weight because it’s difficult to eat when I have them.What if I’m getting constipated because of the migraine medication,what if my stomachs gets bloated because I’m having a big meal or it’s fatty.Could I have MALS with the only symptom is a lower blood flow in that area? Are you born with MALS or is it developed over time?Help!