Day 200 (6.5 Months) - Pectus Excavatum Ravitch - Incredible results!

[OmardiOfficialMixtps]

Which doctor performed the procedure? I'm asking because I'm from San Diego also :)

[OmardiOfficialMixtps]

You should make a new recent video

interested in seeing chest muscle result

Happy u are enjoying life more

[OmardiOfficialMixtps]

Heg

[hippykiller1]

Your story is really helpful. I've been considering doing this operation, hopefully within a few years. The part that scares me is the cost.

[mxbarbarian]

Is their a specific age its recommended to get this at? Im 16 and have this and i dont feel i preform as well in physicle activites as well as a regular person would. Say when i go for a run and i get tired really fast i have this odd sensation in the area around my heart, did you ever have a feeling like this? Just was wondering if you could respond it would be much appreciated =D!

[EightyDx]

hey man, ive never heard that pectus excavatum effects sleep. did you ask your doctors about that? have you ever heard someone else with the same results? i have pe and i also sleep a lot and feel tired all the time. do you think its possible that it was a mental thing?

[nathanater08]

Hey man! Looks like everything went very well for you. I as well have PE. I have been doing research on the differtent operations and was kinda leaning strongly towards the Nuss bar, but after seeing your detailed vids of why you chose to go the other way, I as well am having second thoughts on which one I would like to have done on me. However, there are still a few questions I have and was hoping we could communicate via email.

[magsjones01]

Hiya ... I posted before asking you about weight training after the surgery ... so happy for you that you've had such brilliant results by the way....

i've been back and forth over the last few months about having the ravitch for my PE and finally i've been booked in and will be having sirgery in 3/4 weeks ...

i'll make a video too as yours have really helped me with not only the descision but also just knowing that someone else has gone through lots of the symptoms that i have ...

[xodusboy]

@magsjones01 - Sorry I have been away - How is the surgery going? Or did you have it already?

[iiSmackYou]

Now, i've come to the conclusion that i should go through with an operation (preferably Ravitch) on my chest because i do feel self conscience when i go to places such as the beach and it will change my life just as it did yours (: all i have to say now is thanks for posting all of these videos!

[iiSmackYou]

I've got pectus excavatum and for over 10 years and now i've actually come to realize that in my lifetime i can either live with this dent in my chest and have my chest muscles grow abnormally and not as normal pecs should or I can chose do to this surgery and change my body to better myself in many ways that i would not have known about untill recently. Today i spend about an hour watching all your videos and i can see the dramatic change in your chest from now to when you hadPE &it looks great

[xodusboy]

@iiSmackYou - Thank you! Soon I will have the new one up. It even looks better now. Obviously it has helped me in my life, and I feel great. Wish you the courage to decide if it is right for you.

[pappaFendog]

Hope all is good Xodusboy. Its rougly 1 yr since my op. I still have a numbness around my chest but apart from that I have no probs. Hows your chest now? Look forward to your next vid.

[xodusboy]

@pappaFendog - Doing the next one here shortly. Craziness with the holidays and the camera needs a new battery. I will get to it soon. Doing great though, still some numbness but not much now. Otherwise, I forget I had the surgery except for the new energy! =)

[sylvain84m]

your results are amazing I'm French 27 and I have a asymmetric pectus carinatum. I think I'm gonna try to get operated and hope to have your results especially to heal the scar like you, this operation could really change my life.

Thanks again for posting you videos if you could upload a video after 12 months just to see how you're scar is doing!

[xodusboy]

@sylvain84m - Sounds good It would be great to see.

[magsjones01]

can anyone tell me how long after having the ravitch done you can go back to weight training..??

6 months... 9 months..? 1 year...?

anyone know..?! would really help to have an idea pls... cheers

[xodusboy]

@magsjones01 -  Personally, I was lifting light weights after only a few months. Although my doctor advised waiting a full year. At about eight months, I felt good enough to increase my weights a bit, still keeping it relatively low. After one year now, I just began lifting again and can lift more than I could pre surgery! I have held off doing the next video because I wanted to get a month or two at the gym down to show the difference. I will have it soon. =)

[magsjones01]

@xodusboy hey man .. are you still checking in on here?? sent you a couple messages..... perhaps your away or something but it'd be good to hear back from you

cheers

[wizkid3726]

I rather have the ravitch done then the nuss ,there is no way I'm going to have a bar in me for 3 years

[EzThePker]

How is the scar like now? After 12 months.

[MadeInTexas420]

I'm in my hospital bed now! Still in ICU. They took me off of my epidermal this morning. Felt like shit lol. But doing better now. Walked around a little today. Plenty of before and after pics. Wasn't quite up for vids lol

[MadeInTexas420]

@Jammerdude17

I'm 16 and I'm having my surgery done here in a couple of hours. I have P.E...AND P.C. The left side of my chest is P.E and the right is P.C. I'll get back to you in a week or two and tell you how they did! Peace man

[xodusboy]

@MadeInTexas420 - Holy crap. BOTH? Wow, well it sounds like you will really look different after. Good luck, and take plenty of pictures! Or video? I bet there are others out there that would love to share in your experience to know what you have gone through?

[chrisvin17]

Are you planning on doing any more videos?

[techterrance81]

Thanks man, really appreciate it!

[xodusboy]

Thanks! I have posted the doctors information on my wall. The surgery was completed at UCSD Thorton Hospital in San Diego.

[techterrance81]

Great video! Where did you have the surgery done? Who was your doctor?

[xodusboy]

Hey Jamerdude - Not sure actually, but there are some websites, like WebMD that you can ask the doctors, and I am sure they would have a better answer for you. Although I would be surprised if the surgery could not fix what you have. It seems the Ravitch surgery could fix just about any level of P.E., but again you would need to check that with your thoracic surgeon.

[jamerdude17]

Hey, the left side of my chest is sunken in but I feel like my right side is actually out too much. Is this unusual (even for P.E. People)? Also, could what I have be fixed by surgery?

[mimtha]

 can you do heavy weight training such as bench presses some time after the surgery?

[xodusboy]

@mimtha - Yep yep.  Actually starting to lift more and more now. Still taking it easy and going slowly though, but once your cartridge is healed, you are essentially back to normal. Your muscles may take longer to re-heal though depending on your surgery I am sure.

[Aeman1231]

Hey, I was wondering how long after the operation can you start going the gym? I mean like are you able to do chest workouts and not feel any pain?

[xodusboy]

@Aeman1231 - I suppose that would vary with everyone. For me, I was able to do some light exercise about six months after the operation. Since it takes about a year for the nerves to grow back throughout your chest, you feel nothing really. Now that I can feel everything, when I work out I can tell the difference. It has been a bit over a year now though and working out is like it used to be. And I swear I can lift more now. Who knows?

[Aeman1231]

@xodusboy hmm well, the way you describe the pain during the first day or two does sound unappealing to be honest :S thats probably the only thing stopping me from undergoing the procedure.

[fisher223035]

Xodusboy@ is the oporation worth it I'm scared

[fisher223035]

Xodusboy@ does the scar hurt or Anything like that please respond I mite have the oporation :)

[xodusboy]

@fisher223035 - The scar? No, not at all. The occasional ache in the chest while it is still healing, but not the scar.

[azuar999]

Thanks for your videos again , now im subbed to you , and i even proposed the idea to my father to get the surgery since we both have Pectus Excavatum.

But i have one small question, how many days till i can start doing some cardio (running , jogging , riding my bicycle , etc)?

I dont care about the scars , im getting a sick crow tatoo in the middle of my chest one year after the operation

[xodusboy]

@azuar999 - That is great. My father also has the P.E. - One thing to look at, is P.E. being a symptom of a larger issue, which may be a condition where we (People with P.E.) cannot absorb or for one reason or another do not get enough Zinc during their development. Take a look online at the list of side effects from low Zinc.

1. Pectus Excavatum and sometimes Marfans Syndrome.

2. Late Puberty (I am 33 and hit puberty at 19. I still rarely shave)

3. Beau's Nails

4. Mitral valve...

[TR0LLING4LIFE]

Hey bro, love your videos. You're an inspiration to me. I myself have the same problem and I was wondering if you can tell me if it's worth all the pain I'm going to have to go through? Did you get depression from all the pain or could you handle it?

Thank you.

Max.

[xodusboy]

@TR0LLING4LIFE - Hey Max, that is a good question actually.  As for the pain, it is absolutely worth it. The pain is manageable and although it hurts, is only temporary. The results and benefits to your life however, will be extraordinary and permanent.

As for the depression, it did hit me a little but mostly due to the fact that even when you are on pain medication, when your body is in pain, you will get testy and snippy. Otherwise it was of no concern. =)

[Viedelle]

Alright brother. Did the doctors ever say anything about you having MVP? Or perhaps what where the symptoms you had before which no longer effect you now? I'm trying to get answers you see to the symptoms of got (hold hands and feet, anxiety problems, poor exercise and alcohol tolerance) and whether surgery will actually help these.

cheers

[AllenHoskinsTV]

Hey xodus could you please tell me how to fix flared ribs?

[xodusboy]

@AllenHoskinsTV - I do not know the answer. I noticed a bit more rib flare on myself before the surgery than after, but honestly I am not sure and did not pay close enough attention to it until several people began bringing it up.

[xodusboy]

Scars? Meh. My scars are barely visible now. Far less visible than a big dent in my chest. Besides, scars fade and there are many alternatives. Tattoo over them if you want, or have micro-sutures. They even have other new treatments.

Honestly, I am shocked at how many people are afraid of the scars. It is what is underneath that you need to be concerned about. Your long term health, living longer etc. The scars are nothing.

[abyssal119]

Hey, im thinking about getting this surgery but im worried about the scars, im fifteen and have been embarrassed about my chest my whole life. If im going to get the surgery i dont wanna get embarresed about the scars after. Just wondering how the scars look now.

[xodusboy]

Things are going great actually. MUCH better than I thought. I will be doing another video in a month or so. Just doing more at the gym! ;)

[chrisvin17]

how's things going now? how are the scars? great posts!

[chrisvin17]

how's things going now? how are the scars? great posts!

[Viedelle]

You mentioned having the scars worked on to reduce appearance. When about are you getting that?

[xodusboy]

@Viedelle - Actually, they have been healing so very well that I may not after all. In fact, they are very flat, with no colloidal scarring at all at this point. Depending on the final color of the scar (If it more closely matches my skin tone) - I may just leave it the way it is, or perhaps look into the tattoo touch up for color. Either way, I am extremely impressed with how well the scar has healed. I will be uploading another video in a month or so. =)

[Viedelle]

Thanks for the vid mate. It definitely is more informative then most. Every one just goes on about visual improvement. All the best

[waqsohwaqso]

thanks for the videos. dont you think your rright shoulder is lower than left one and is more bent backwards. i said this because i am having problems maintaing right posture because of PE. sometimes it is so difficult to walk straight it is like as if i am falling towards one side.

[xodusboy]

@waqsohwaqso - I have not noticed anything off about my posture, although I do tend to lean more to the right when I am doing push ups.  But I had always thought that had more to do with the fact that I am right handed and seem to prefer lifting with my right side. However, I have never noticed it causing any posture problems.

[dragoncomber]

HI Man,you have done an awesome job making these videos and have been inspirational.

[xodusboy]

@dragoncomber - Thanks dragon, glad I could help out ;)

[TheHironin1]

I'm just going to leave my chest alone. It might be a bit deeper than yours at the day 0 vid, but I haven had any problems pointed out concerning it. What really nags me are how girls might react though... Hopefully they'll understand why I look like I do and accept me for it ^^

[xodusboy]

@TheHironin1 -  Honestly for me, living a shorter life, and reading about all of the negative effects P.E. causes, not just now, but also for you in your future, would be of much more concern than "attractiveness".

Let me just say this. Confidence is what attracts. If you feel confident, then you will attract people.

For me, after the surgery I am absolutely more confident in my body. But honestly, having 100% of my energy is why I am happiest I had the surgery.

[TheHironin1]

@xodusboy Hmm, don't misunderstand man. If it would have any impact on my life-time in lenght, I'd do the surgery aswell, but it doesn't. I don't really know everything about your complication, but Pectus Excavatum is mostly a cosmetical operation, UNLESS something comes up, which it did with you. Thanks for answering though, you look better btw ^^

[xodusboy]

@TheHironin1 - ah yes, that is exactly what the insurance companies would like you to believe. In fact, most of the older text on P.E. Would lead many doctors to believe. However, if you read more recent research, that is not the case. The fact that P.E. Causes mitral valve prolapse in most people alone is a huge health problem. Especially when you consider how it distends the valves and pushes your heart to work harder to compensate. Thus the added work and tired feeling.

[TheHironin1]

@xodusboy Well then, my doctor said it was nothing to worry about, and that he wouldn't recommend surgery unless it was a cosmetical problem. And secondly, I'm norwegian, and getting that operation done would have been free, so those insurance companies doesn't have a say in this. Still, I guess you know more than me on the subject, so what's your personal advice? Both my nephew and grandfather had this. My grandfathers healed on its own and my nephew worked it out with weights. (their wrnt bad)

[izaakywwethemesongs]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEOS

im 14 and from Australia and i have a sevre case of Pectus Excavatum

im going on the waiting list for the ravitch pocudice

Please tell me what the pain is like and is it worth it

THANK YOU your videos have inspried me to get the surgery

[xodusboy]

@izaakywwethemesongs - I am glad the videos did help. As for pain, honestly, they have you on so many pain medications that you are pretty much out of it most of the time. So as for the hospital, the pain should not be a worry. Even after, you only have a bit of real pain for the first week or two, and that all seems to depend on your age.

But honestly, you will realize quickly that the little bit of pain is well worth the benefits.

[crawler697]

I'm going in for surgery for pectus excavatum next month, but I'm not sure if i should get the ravitch or the nuss. considering the scar i was worried about the ravitch, but after seeing your results i feel more confident about it. If you were able to go with the nuss would you have? My concern with the nuss is the bar has to be in there for 2-3 years.

[xodusboy]

@crawler697 - Absolutely go for the Modified Ravitch. Check my video on Nuss vs. Ravitch. Two of my friends went through the Nuss procedure and it was terrible for them. Four years of having a bar in and pain medication only to see it dip back in after a few months. Eventually they both had to have the Modified Ravitch procedure anyway. Hope this helps.

[crawler697]

@xodusboy Thank you so much for the reply, I'm defiantly on the fence now between the Ravitch and the Nuss. I watched your other videos, and I find it amazing how you weren't in any noticeable pain after you got released from the hospital I'd rather go through a few nights of pain and no sleep with the Ravitch then 3 months of being on pain meds and watching my movements so it doesn't cause more pain with the Nuss.

[greasyindiekid]

Awesome video man, Your videos inspired me to get this done and now that I have I feel great. You're a great service to youtube!

[xodusboy]

@greasyindiekid - Thank you! =) Makes it all worth it to hear this.

[masonbak]

hey xd, looks great

i was just wondering what became of that metal band that you mentioned goes across your ribs? did that dissolve too?

[xodusboy]

@masonbak - Actually had two Xrays, and for some reason they do not show up. I asked my surgeon if I had anything still in me, and he said that I should have a small metal band still inside, but again after feeling around and looking on the Xray, I am not quite sure where it would be. No metal detectors set it off, and it really is odd. I will have to ask him specifically again.

[DavidIsRight]

Congratulations, looks great! A big thanks from an English PE sufferer... you've made up my mind to go with Ravitch over NUSS. Over the course of your videos, you've detailed so many little things that you normally never hear about, so thanks again... keep us all posted!

[xodusboy]

@DavidIsRight - I am sure you will be much happier in the end. Glad I could help. =)

[ulilcracker]

looks fantastic mate!

[xodusboy]

@ulilcracker - Thanks! =) It is even looking better now that it has been 8 months. Things are really going well.

Not much more really, pretty much back to normal completely. My chest still feels tight from time to time, particularly in the muscles, but otherwise, not bad. As I work out again, and my chest muscles begin to re-build, I notice more and more feeling coming back in the center of my chest. (It is numb for the first six months or so). But yes, VERY happy =)

[xodusboy]

vrasten - Thanks Vrasten! Glad it helped. I was hoping it would help some others =)

[vrasten]

I'm so proud of you! Once again you've described several things that I never would have thought of detailing nor would have ever attributed it to my chest cavity. I had no idea it could be affecting sleep or energy levels. This is amazing, now surgery day can't come fast enough! Thank you again so much for sharing your story - it has absolutely changed my life. Best wishes, take care of yourself bud! :)

[lovesmusic1044]

Thanks for sharing all of this. I'm almost a nurse so it's really interesting to see the whole recovery. Glad you had such a great one!

[xodusboy]

@lovesmusic1044 - Sure thing. I am so damn glad that I had this surgery. I was as worried as anyone, but after quite a bit of research and talking with people that have had both types of surgeries, and looking into what works well and who is happy, I am glad that I went with this option. Again, I am feeling great and happy with how everything has gone.

[tysonseppoh]

Hey, thank you for the video updates, I was wondering if you could do a recent side view video I would love see that in more detail .

thank you!

[xodusboy]

Mi cirugía tenía ambos lados del cartílago cortado para quitar y reparar mi esternón. Una vez que estuvieron reparados, la substituyeron por una placa de disolución atada al esternón. Más adelante, después de tres meses, esta placa disolvió en mi cuerpo naturalmente y mi cuerpo había hecho el nuevo cartílago. No estoy seguro de ningún buen consejo de dar sobre entrar en contacto con a los doctores. Apesadumbrado sobre mi español pobre. Esperanzadamente puedo estar de una cierta ayuda. =)

[bonifacio319]

hola xodusboy,

me alegro que la recuperación vaya tan bien se le ve fantástico

Le querría hacer un par de preguntas técnicas:

cuantos cartílagos le repararon en cada lado ?

el esternón se lo fracturaron por uno o por dos sitios ?

cree usted que la recuperación de los cartílagos sera igual a pesar de tener 39 años ?

Siento hacerle alguna pregunta que quizás usted ya ha respondido en sus vídeos pero es que no se ingles, le pido disculpas.

gracias por estar ahí en nombre de todos.

[ImSuchaGamer]

I have been going to the hosptial alot lately to get testing for heart problems and when I got my heart stress test for the first time a doctor took note of my Pectus Excavatum. I got a large ammount of testing done because they have no idea what is wrong. My test results come in the day after tomorrow. Looking good buddy. I'm happy for you. hopefully they dont find anything major wrong with me to the point where I need sergery.

[pappaFendog]

@ReeceBorn - I also had trouble being referred to a surgeon by my GP. I eventually went to another practice and my new GP referred me, so I think it depends on the GPs opinion so try switching them. I told them about how I didnt like the way it looked but also told them it could be unconfortable when sitting down, and how it was difficult to get to sleep because of the unconfortableness.

[pappaFendog]

Your chest and your scar is healing good. I had ravitch nine weeks ago and my scar goes vertically not horizontally. My scar is healing quite well and even if the scar was bad i wouldnt care because it would be better than the hole I had although I do miss it slightly. I still have a bar inside me for a couple more months which can be painful in the mornings when I wake up but apart from that it isnt too bad now. Have you tried weight lifting at all? if so is it painful?

[xodusboy]

@pappaFendog - Actually I have been doing light weights for the last month or two and have no pain at all really. In fact, it feels like I can bench a lot more than before. I am not pushing it though. I figure that I will just take it as my body feels it can handle. Right now though, I don't feel ANY limitations. I really feel healed completely and back to normal which is nice. Very rarely will I feel any discomfort anymore and usually only if I twist wrong.

[ReeceBorn]

Looks great, I've had a few tests here in the uk but I dont think I'll qualify for having it fixed, I can complain all I want about discomfort but with a 'free' national health service they only care if your limbs are falling off or your crying blood lol. Its interesting about the sleeping Ive always felt chronically fautigued, however If nothing can be done I can accept it, we all have our own trails to bear in life :)

[xodusboy]

@ReeceBorn - I suppose if there is nothing you can do, then... Meh, screw that. I am not going to lie to you. I would find a way, knowing now what I know and how much better I feel, I cannot honestly answer you and say to just hang in there. If you feel fatigued (And I never even KNEW there was a difference before, but I do now) - If you feel that way, then I would certainly look into getting private insurance? Perhaps another solution?

[ReeceBorn]

@xodusboy we'll see, im 30 now so I can live with it, I been swimming a lot since I was 4 so never developed any insecurity about it. I always wanted to be in an 'Alien' movie and have one burst outta my chest.. damn cgi spoils my chances of that, I will update you if anything happens in either my acting carrer or surgery  :D

[xodusboy]

@ReeceBorn - Too funny about the Alien thing. I always thought being Iron Man would be fun. But yeah, as for being 30, that is still young and your cartilage is able to heal quickly. Look at mine, it healed in only a few months back to normal completely. If you wait until later in life though, it will only get more difficult. Having said that, if you can't get it, then you can't. I would encourage you to push for it if it is having any negative effect on you though. But that's me =P

[truetalent86]

@ReeceBorn ite fella im from the uk i had the nuss operation 9ish years ago i had i done up in london. i didnt have any pain or discomfort i jut said to mu doctor i was realy insecure about it.

[1gn1tus]

Scar Is looking good, man.

I am thinking about going through the procedure sometime next year. Still have to meet up with my surgeon. How long do you have to be in the hospital for this procedure? I live in America, but I would like to have the procedure done in germany, which should hopefully fit into the summer holidays.

[xodusboy]

@1gn1tus - Thanks! Yeah, I have been using all of the cremes since day one. It is still fading right now and hopefully it will fade even more in the future.

You will be in the hospital at least a few days and up to about ten days in the most extreme cases. I would strongly recommend the "modified" Ravitch procedure. Not the regular one with wires, but the one with the dissolving plate etc. After all, better results > than fitting to the holidays ;) But hopefully they have it also?

[1gn1tus]

@xodusboy

Wow, thats what I call a fast response ;D

Hey didn't here about the plate procedure before I watched you videos, but that can be because I focused my research on the nuss method, because it is the "new" procedure. My cousin was the 17th person that used the nuss method and his PE came back quite a bit. I am hoping to have more success with this method. I will need to check If they have the plate procedure, but I don't see why they shouldn't.

[xodusboy]

@1gn1tus - That is exactly what I found when looking into both procedures. My friend had his Nuss procedure fail as well and his dent came back. He eventually went and had the Modified Ravitch procedure done after many years of pain and problems with his Nuss Procedure. It seems sad that so many insurance companies and doctors push the Nuss procedure, when the Modified Ravitch can fix this well, the first time. Wish you the best on your search!