Pectus Excavatum and the Nuss Procedure

Pectus Excavatum is a congenital condition that affects the sternum and ribcage which makes the center of the chest curve inward. At Children's Hospital Colorado, we offer the Nuss Bar procedure, a minimally invasive surgery, which can restore volume to the chest, and increase heart and lung capacity. Learn more about the Nuss procedure in this animation, including how the surgery is performed and what to expect from recovery.

[apizzaparty]

I had this surgery when I was 14, bar removed when I was 19. I highly recommend it. Changed my life. 28 now and you could never tell

[slimjim]

Honestly i feel better reading the comments because i know im not alone❤

[darealleo]

I just got this surgery done about a week ago and rn all that bothers me is going to the bathroom. The surgery is a bit painful and annoying at first but trust me it is all worth it. Whoever is having this surgery, trust me you’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

[jace]

I currently have the bar in. Only about a year left before it goes. I am so thankful for my doctor and the military for paying the costs.

[stefansattele]

I was born with that condition and suffered from low selfesteem as well as from endurance issues like short breath and passing out while running. Doctors always told me "we don't recommend surgery since it is a huge medical intervention". Kept on struggling until I was 26. Then I eventually stumbled across a "new method" which was only practised by a few doctors here in Germany at that time. Got the surgery done and, apart from the the pain that became my companion for many months, I felt such a relief! A few weeks out of the hospital I put my endurance to a test and went for a run - 8 kilometers without passing out where I hardly managed to run 1 kilometer before. I'm 44 now and never regret it. I transformed me into a new person.

[whattookUsolong]

My 18 yr old son just had the surgery one week ago. He smiled when I showed him a picture I took of the result while I was with him during post operation. He asked " is that me?" the nurse and me both said " Yep, that you!"

[camshea]

Hey anyone who’s planning on getting the surgery, for me the most painful part was sitting up after the procedure. Try laying flat on your back, tuck you knees into your belly and roll forwards. (Kinda like a cannonball). This saved me a lot of pain.
Good luck to any else getting the surgery, it’s worth it:)

[lizzybain]

people don’t actually realize how insecure you can feel from this and how many clothes are limited from this. can we start a gc for everyone struggling? my friends don’t get it 😖

[guidowack]

I had this Nuss procedure surgery as well as the Ravitch procedure about 3-4 years ago, currently doing awesome was worth it.

[raymondtom]

i have them 2 & i dont take off my shirt when im with my friends coz its really embarrassing 😢😢

[clownenzijneng]

I feel sick watching this video. Knowing I might need a surgery like this one day.

[williamsturgis]

This runs deep in my family both of my older brothers chests go really deep and the same thing has started to happen to me. When i suck my chest in its really visible. I don’t want to get surgery I’m only thirteen. To all the people with severe cases i send you love.

[Lovedaearth]

Girl I just wanna go out with a crop top, but my ribs be flaring out 😭 hella annoying

Edit: I got the surgery

[GroovySquiddo]

People have always told me to take deep breaths and it’s so frustrating when I say I cant

[kategorham]

Currently hyping myself up to get this surgery in a couple months... the vids aren't helping to reassure me ngl.. but the end result will be so worth it.

[LukeJ]

Im getting this surgery tommarow wish me luck

[malealoy]

my family never made me feel different. Only realizing it could actually hurt your cardio and breathing.. i seriously was never aware people had stigma towards this.. I never tried to hide it or even considered it, i wonder now if it freaks people out when they see it for the first time. The way your family treats you can totally save you from so much. I'm grateful I had a circle of good people around me because I'm really shocked most people in the comments felt judged and insecure about it. I personally like the appearance and felt unique for it cause I was the only one of my siblings who had it, but I'm disappointed it could harm my lungs' capacity and heart, i hope my case is mild and can be compensated for by exercise. By the way, beauty standards will always change, I know it's difficult with all the shallowness in the media/schools/everywhere, but try to form your own standards as much as you can, change your circle if your current one is judgmental or shallow, have some independent thinkers around, you don't wanna be run by sheep, it's ironic i know! but beauty was never objective nor will it ever be if history is a decent indicator of the future.

[irvintuumalo]

I have an inch of Pectus excavatum, I always look skinny and can never really have a big chest . I either have to get surgery or work out super hard ..

[Brucelee]

very nice animation, i am a 21 year old male, i had one of the most severe cases, my haller index was 7.2 and my heart and lungs were being squished. Nuss wouuld not work so my surgeon did the rabitch procedure(cutting and getting rid of the bad cartilage and rebuild the whole chest wall), he also inserted a bar to reinforce the sternum, is been 2 years and i am getting the bar removed in 2 weeks. My breathing is better now and I live in Florida. Bad thing is i have a huge scar but does not matter because i feel better.

[ironicwars]

I am from Germany, I am 15 years old. And in July I have my Pectus Excavatum operation using the Nuss method. I am also a bit scared of the operation, especially about the thoracic epidural. I am an active athlete and hope to be able to do sport just as well or better afterwards.
I will tell you about it when I am finished in 6 months.