How long does it take to feel normal again after a first rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome?

6weeks: 6 weeks is a magic number in medicine. The problem causing surgery should be resolved now, but assuming there are no infections or other complications of,surgery, you should be doing fine in a couple of weeks, but not even thinking about it in 6 weeks

6 weeks to 4 months: Most patients will feel pretty good in 6-8 weeks. This is the amount of time it takes for most of the surgical pain to subside. However, it usually takes 3-4 months for symptoms to completely subside and patients feel as good as they will feel. Return to work for light duty is possible in 2-4 weeks, but return to heavy labor is a minimum of 3 months.