From Baltimore to Las Vegas: How One Patient Finally Found Relief After 32 Doctors and Years of Pain
Jeff’s Story: From 32 Doctors to the Right Diagnosis
For three and a half years, Jeff battled severe abdominal wall pain that began as a simple “pin prick” during a golf swing. Over time, the pain intensified into stabbing, burning episodes that rated 8–10/10 — sharp enough to make him fall to his knees.
He consulted 32 doctors, including:
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General surgeons
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Gastroenterologists
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Pain specialists
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Four physicians at Johns Hopkins
Despite extensive imaging and GI evaluations, Jeff was repeatedly told:
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“No hernia.”
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“Nothing structurally wrong.”
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“We can’t explain your pain.”
His condition continued to worsen.
Discovering ACNES and the Right Surgeon
Everything changed when Jeff came across online information about ACNES (Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome) — a condition caused by entrapped intercostal nerves in the abdominal wall.
The symptoms matched his perfectly.
This led him to Dr. Tim Tollestrup, a Las Vegas-based peripheral nerve surgeon specializing in ACNES nerve entrapment surgery and other nerve-related abdominal pain conditions.
Jeff traveled from Baltimore to Las Vegas to meet him.
The Diagnosis: ACNES Nerve Entrapment
During their consultation, Dr. Tollestrup identified that Jeff’s pain was likely caused by entrapped branches of the intercostal nerves — a classic sign of ACNES.
This was the first time any provider connected the dots.
Jeff finally had a real diagnosis.
ACNES Nerve Entrapment Surgery: The Procedure That Changed His Life
Dr. Tollestrup performed targeted ACNES nerve entrapment surgery, removing the damaged and entrapped nerve branches within Jeff’s abdominal wall.
What happened next felt miraculous.
Within hours, Jeff noticed the stabbing episodes were completely gone.
At his hotel afterward, he tried to trigger the pain — but couldn’t.
Six weeks later, he remained 100% pain-free.
Back to Art, Golf, and Living Life Again
Before surgery, Jeff’s pain kept him isolated, unable to work in his art studio or enjoy everyday activities.
Today, he is:
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Painting again
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Thinking about returning to golf
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Living without fear of the next stabbing attack
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Free from the constant 4/10 daily pain
He credits ACNES nerve entrapment surgery — and Dr. Tollestrup — for giving him his life back.
If You Have Chronic Abdominal Pain, Don’t Give Up
ACNES is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, but it is one of the most treatable causes of chronic abdominal wall pain.
If your pain has not been explained by imaging or GI evaluations, you may be a candidate for ACNES nerve entrapment surgery.
📍 Tim Tollestrup, MD
Pain-Focused Peripheral Nerve Surgeon
🌐 https://nevadanervesurgery.org
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV