Hi there!
So… I can tell you that a C1 shave it part of Dr. Kamran’s protocol. I actually asked him the same question yesterday.
We’re from Vancouver, Canada, and my husband is having surgery with Dr. Kamran on December 10. He reallllllllllly didn’t want to have the C1 shaved. We asked yesterday if the C1 shave was absolutely necessary. Dr. Kamran’s answer was a C1 shave is part of his regular protocol so the jugular vein has more room to expand. And in JC’s case, the IJV compression between his styloid and C1 is so extreme that the shave is unavoidable and it is necessary. But I get the sense that Dr. Kamran’s approach is more aggressive than some, and he thinks this will give a better long-term outcome.
I’ve spoken with several people privately on this site and ultimately come to the conclusion, your body and your choice. Some people are fine with the C1 shave and believe it will give them a better outcome and less chance of a secondary problem. Some are hesitant and want to approach with caution, they would rather a second surgery if warranted in the future. You have to make the choice that’s going to be best for you.
I have written more about our choice to go to Turkiye on this thread: A Canadian's Journey: VES Surgery in Türkiye Dec. 10 - #28 by Val7426
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We’ve been planning for several weeks for our trip to Istanbul, and I am moderately familiar with their health care system and the area. As the Turks say, geçmiş olsun (get well soon)