Hi @Bluemaple! Your reply was amazing and perfect timing! I’m sorry I didn’t get to reply until now. Too much going on. I saw Dr. Yen 3/18/24 and he declined my case. Said it was too advanced and agreed with Dr. Hepworth’s finding about needing fascia and muscle removed. He gave me a referral to Dr. Hepworth. Got a call today from my insurance that said I have to have 2 more surgeons decline my case from UCSF. So 3 surgeons have said no (actually 6 in CA) but 3 with my new insurance and now 2 to go. Not going to lie, I am getting tired fighting but received news from CO that my out of pocket may be significantly higher than anticipated so I’m back to square one while they look at it. Learned Dr. Hackman in NC does not do decompressions. I am running out of options. Maybe Constantino and Cognetti does? I’ll have to research. But I’m so glad you’re doing well. We actually talked about your case but did not mention your name. I told him you were happy with him and he was very pleased. Nice man, Dr. Yen. Thank you again SO MUCH! 
Heather
Hi @danielleg,
Well thank you, you’re too kind!
I only had my styloids removed. I had PT for my neck stability after the two surgeries.
@Heather - Dr. Costantino does decompression surgeries, sometimes w/o the need for styloidectomy. His approach is a bit different than Dr. Hepworth’s as he has a neurosurgeon assist in case he determines C-1 needs to be shaved a bit to help decompress the IJV.
Dr. Cognetti does NOT do decompression surgeries.
@Isaiah_40_31, you are AWESOME. Thank you so much. I’m trying to have a Plan B to my Plan A just in case. I’ll start looking into Dr. Constantino. I hope he has a self-pay option since I know some insist on insurance payments only and some don’t take insurance at all. There is quite the gamut of challenges for ES patients. Thank you a million for taking one less hurdle out of my way. Onward and upward.
Heather
Such a battle for you @Heather , I hope that Dr Constantino can help… 
Thank you so much @Jules! I’m getting ready to call his office in an hour. Trying to time it so I have the best luck getting through.
Heather
@Heather Thank you for updating me, and please don’t worry about taking your time in responding. I completely understand how hectic things can get, especially with everything you’re dealing with. I’m really sorry to hear that Dr. Yen declined your case. I know that hits hard especially after going through so much already. And dealing with insurance on top of it all just adds another layer of stress. I wish I had more knowledge about the doctors you mentioned, but I know that others have more information regarding them. Seems like @Isaiah_40_31 and @Jules can lead you in the right direction. I am very pleased with the work Dr. Yen did for me and I wish you the best in finding someone that can help you. Sending you lots of positive thoughts and strength during this challenging time. Take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I hope your call with Dr. Constantino goes well.
Thank you @Bluemaple! I got through with no issues but waiting for the scheduler to call me back for a telehealth visit. $350, not bad. I am thankful I have my scans completed as well. Dr. Hepworth and team, can’t beat em for efficiency once you finally get to see them after several months waiting. Thanks again for Dr. Yen’s name. I will keep him in mind for other things if the occasion arises. He was really great so I see why you like him so much. The mountains are getting smaller to climb. Onward.
Heather
@Heather Hello, I am also looking to see Dr Yen. My surgeon in MN isn’t doing surgeries anymore and I have family in Sacramento/Davis area. I was also looking at the Kaiser doctors, so I find your information so helpful that they are not comfortable with longer lengths. Did you end up going with Dr Yen? Can you share anything about your experience? I hope you are doing well!
Hello! I ended up going with Dr. Edward Hepworth of Denver Sinus Care. There are no Kaiser doctors anywhere in the United States or in Hawaii who are fully able to take care of our cases. I live in the Sacramento area and there is no one in the whole state who can take care of Eagle Syndrome with jugular vein compression or cerebral spinal fluid leak of the skull/deviated septum/skull based disorders that often accompany Eagle Syndrome. Dr. Edward Hepworth can. Also Dr. Peter Constantino in New York, New York and Dr. Fernando Hui in Oahu, Hawaii can. I’m not so sure about the cerebral spinal repairs in the skull for those two but they can address the eagle syndrome with jugular vein compression. I would stick with those three and only those three for the best possible outcome to your case.
Heather
@Abby4Paige - Our members @Bluemaple (2022) & @THughes (2025) both had their ES surgeries done by Dr. Yen. You can send them each a private message to ask about Dr. Yen if you’d like more information about their experiences with him.
@Heather is correct that if you have IJV compression, you’ll want to see one of the specialists she mentioned, & I’ll add these others - Dr. Nakaji in Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Cognetti in Philadelphia, PA, & Dr. Liu in Livingston, NJ.