Please note the 2 additional suggestions above. It was 3 am last night and I forgot to add those 2 and they may be the most important (it's now just after 8 and I couldn't get back to sleep because I knew these needed to be added, now I'm going back to bed).
As to the pfo surgery, it is an outpatient procedure. They go up through your leg. I was fortunate that here in the Salt Lake City area we have a couple of extremely experienced doctors who have done tons (thousands in one case) of pfo surgeries with good outcomes. I searched very thoroughly to select from among the most experienced and successful doctors. I have good insurance and since I had it done 3 weeks after shoulder surgery (yeah, a bad month) I had already met my max out of pocket expenses (with the chamber ride paid for by dive assure) so it cost me nothing our of pocket. You may be in the same situation if you have it done before years end. The actual cost was about $35,000. I believe although I might have it switched with the shoulder. Good diving (and good night /morning) Jay
As to the pfo surgery, it is an outpatient procedure. They go up through your leg. I was fortunate that here in the Salt Lake City area we have a couple of extremely experienced doctors who have done tons (thousands in one case) of pfo surgeries with good outcomes. I searched very thoroughly to select from among the most experienced and successful doctors. I have good insurance and since I had it done 3 weeks after shoulder surgery (yeah, a bad month) I had already met my max out of pocket expenses (with the chamber ride paid for by dive assure) so it cost me nothing our of pocket. You may be in the same situation if you have it done before years end. The actual cost was about $35,000. I believe although I might have it switched with the shoulder. Good diving (and good night /morning) Jay