Posts by Peter Clark4

First off, I’ve been skeptical about this method from the jump, and honestly, I still am.

I'm 27, and my rib cage is likely pretty "stiff."

When I wake up in the morning, the indentation seems slightly shallower than before.
However, if I don't wear the Vacuum Bell for more than 24 hours, the indentation actually feels deeper than it was even before I started using the VB (maybe I'm hallucinating; I took my old pre-VB photos at a bad angle)

Overall, I'd rate my progress at a 2/10 so far. Not impressed.

I usually wear it for about 2 hours a day, maybe 1 hour depending on the day.

I'm trying out a technique from a guy on Reddit who wore it exclusively while sleeping, but falling asleep with this thing is tough—I'm working on it. That'll be my next update, probably in a month or two.

When I apply the VB, the chest lifts up, but the second I release the vacuum and take the VB off, it sinks right back in (maybe a tiny bit stays lifted, but it's hard to tell because the skin swells, so it might just be an illusion)

Along with the VB, I hit the gym regularly and stretch semi-consistently, focusing specifically on chest stretches. I try my best to fix my posture and sleep on a firm surface (following advice from a Redditor who successfully fixed their pectus)

I'm definitely not quitting. I told myself I'd give it 12 months of consistent use before making a final call.

The VB is 19cm.

I spoke to a guy who swapped his 19cm for a 25cm one to get more surface area, but he said it's too "shallow" and doesn't provide enough space to actually lift the chest, so it was a huge pain for him.

Conclusion: there is perhaps a very slight, temporary improvement in the early morning hours immediately after waking up (which gradually disappears throughout the day)
Some people have more flexible rib cages and see massive shifts within a month or two—unfortunately, that's not me.

My Vacuum Bell finally showed up from pectushealing.com last week.

It took about two weeks to arrive.
They ship everything out of Brazil to the States.
Tax was included in the purchase price, plus I had to deal with an $18-$19 customs fee (they listed the value at $25).

I'll post updates on my progress as I go.

John Barnes6 said:I’ve given the Vacuum Bell some thought myself. It isn't exactly cheap, though, which is why I’ve been hesitating.

Even after digging through a mountain of reviews, I still find myself skeptical—especially when the websites look so amateurish. That said, I’ve looked over a few studies, and I honestly believe it actually works.

https://pectushealing.com/
https://www.pectusvacuumbell.com/pro...ctus-excavatum
https://vacuumbell.net/

I noticed quite a few reviews where people were venting about terrible customer service, missing orders, or being stuck waiting forever for their shipment to arrive.

Regarding Josip Pejić, I might ask my doctor for a referral. I want to rule out surgery entirely if I don't meet the criteria, especially since paying for an operation out of pocket isn't in my budget right now. My goal is to get this sorted while I'm still young.

What kind of issues are you running into specifically during high-intensity sessions?

For me, the issue happens after I push myself to 100% during high-intensity training—things like Rogue bikes, rowing machines, or sprints. I often feel lightheaded, sometimes even nauseous, and my head and neck start feeling incredibly heavy. My eyes get so tired I just want to drop to the floor and pass out.

So, here’s my theory: since there's such a massive demand for oxygen, my lungs are essentially squeezing my heart, causing these symptoms after a hard workout. I have no idea how much sense that makes, but that's where my head is at.

The issue is the Vacuum Bell. You have to put in the work with exercises and actually fix your posture. Most people are just too lazy to commit to that. They don't want to deal with the fact that you’ll likely have to do this daily for two or three years before you can scale back to just a few times a week.

https://mmartel.gumroad.com/l/hGDPq A guy who actually lived it wrote a book on how he used the Vacuum Bell to fix 95% of his original pectus indentation. From what I gather, he started out using some DIY home-made vacuum setup before eventually buying the official one.

It looks like this is the only reliable site left for people in Europe that hasn't been flooded with complaints. Check out https://pectushealing.com/. (I’ll be updating this if I dig up more info, but so far, they seem like the only "legit" one here.)
*UPDATE* — Consultations are handled via email now. If the model isn't right for you and you have the email thread from those consultations to prove it, you can request an exchange for a different model that actually works. Plus, they offer a warranty on both the product and the vacuum pump that comes with the VB.Ten years of coverage. That’s what we’re looking at. We aren't just talking about some flimsy, short-term promise that disappears the moment you walk out the clinic door. We’re talking about a decade of peace of mind. When you go under the knife for Pectus correction, you deserve to know that if anything feels off down the road, we have your back. This isn't just fine print; it's our commitment to the long haul. Real support, lasting results, and ten years of certainty. Period. Warranty details.

Nude consultations for $25. You send over photos and breast measurements, then the doctor recommends the right dimensions. Consultations aren't mandatory, and shipping is free.
Consulting services available now at pectushealing.com/products/consulting.

I’m an American wrestler, and I occasionally get into some MMA sparring sessions. It's hard to put the sensation into words, so let's try this:

When I hit about 70-80% intensity—just my own subjective estimate based on experience—I start feeling off. It’s not necessarily nausea, but breathing gets heavy and my body just wants to shut down and sleep. I stay fully conscious, though; no blackouts or vision issues. Also, I frequently feel this pressure right in the center of my chest.

When I hit about 80-90% intensity, my chest starts tightening up. All I can do is take deep breaths, and it feels like my body has zero capacity left to move—I feel completely drained and nausea starts creeping in.

If I push myself to 90-100% intensity, it’s like my whole body goes numb and I feel like I'm going to collapse. The nausea is intense, and it takes me 10-15 minutes just to recover. Once that happens, there's no way I can get back to my original pace for that workout or even the rest of the day (I tried, and I just felt lethargic, barely able to function at 60% effort).

I'm describing this during wrestling sessions, which involve a mix of explosive power, static strength, and grip work.

Regarding running—to make a long story short—if I run slower than 5.0 miles mph, like a light jog, it's fine. I feel some slight pressure in my chest, but it's totally manageable.

But if I pick up the pace past 6.2 miles mph, I get winded immediately and have to slow down to a brisk walk.

I actually experimented with running because I wanted to boost my cardio, but it was useless. My "ceiling" for a sustainable pace is strictly 5.0 miles mph.

Back to the Vacuum Bell topic—there's a chance I'll order one next week. It's incredibly expensive, but like one woman on an international forum said: *"I paid several hundred dollars, but I got my life back in return."* That's what I'm hoping for.
Naturally, along with the Vacuum Bell, I'm buying the book https://mmartel.gumroad.com/l/hGDPq and I plan to document the entire progress.

I can share the data with you via a private Google Drive so you can judge for yourself if it might help. I might even set up a fake Reddit account just to post on Reddit and pretend I'm helping other people make their decision too.

John Barnes6 said:Hey, thanks for keeping me posted on the progress.

Is there any way to get a rough estimate of that Haller index? Do you happen to have a photo I could look at?

What does it actually mean when they say the "heart shadow is almost entirely projected into the left chest"?

I have an asymmetrical deformity, so I’m wondering how much that actually impacts my Haller index.

It’s impossible to estimate roughly. A specialist will have to send you for a CT or X-ray. (For instance, even Dr. Josip Pejić told me my case is mild, but if I wanted a CT, he'd send me because he can't be 100% sure without it.)

Some people with a Haller index of 4 have zero issues, while some with a 2.5 struggle with everything—it just depends.

As for the "heart shadow..." honestly, I have no clue what that implies (though from what I know, the heart should be centered and slightly to the left). Best to check with a cardiologist.

I also have a slight asymmetrical deformity.

Anyway, let me type out an update to my previous post.

I did the stress test, but haven't done the spirometry yet.
The stress test results were fine—but that test is basically irrelevant since the intensity was too low. My issues only show up at high intensity.

I’m still keeping the idea of trying treatment in Mexico in mind, but first, I’m going to get a Vacuum Bell and try therapy with that.
Some sources say you can just order it yourself, while others claim you need a specialist's recommendation. (They do this therapy in Miami, and they seem more than willing to write a prescription for a Vacuum Bell since it helps their practice; the only real risk of using it is that you might not see significant improvement, so it's worth a shot, you never know.)
Based on foreign forums, I’d estimate about 75% of people are satisfied with the Vacuum Bell.

Prices for the Vacuum Bell range from $300 to $500.
Apparently, for some people, the pump handle snaps within a year (usually the device itself keeps working fine, and you can just order a replacement handle, so there's no big deal).

My next post will probably be once I actually get the Vacuum Bell.
I plan to document the whole process in detail day by day and include all the photos.
I'll likely upload them to a private Google Drive folder and share the link if I can't post images directly here on the forum.

Tyler Lopez62 said:It’s been two months since my surgery. Honestly, three weeks out, I wasn't feeling much of anything—just popped some ibuprofen whenever the discomfort flared up a bit.

You should reach out to Dr. Pejić over at the Mayo Clinic, specifically the thoracic surgery department in Washington, D.C.

If you're an American citizen, this procedure is covered by Medicare even if it's just for corrective purposes—you don't actually need to be dealing with physical issues, you can just do it for the aesthetics.

I'm 33.

I saw Josip Pejić recently, and your info is only partially right.

Here is the actual deal:

If they diagnose actual medical complications, then the surgery is definitely covered.

If there are no medical issues and it's purely cosmetic, they usually only operate if your Haller index is >3.5 (probably because that's when they decide it starts hitting your self-esteem and mental health, so they'll work with you).

My Haller index came back at 2.9 and I don't have major issues, so it's unlikely they'll agree to operate on me. I'll probably try to go to Milan Mijović privately, maybe out in the North America. (P.S. Surgeons over there still have to decide if you're a candidate; you can't just throw money at them and expect it to happen.)

Peter Clark4 said:Hey everyone, I don't want to clog up the feed, but I figured I'd drop some info here that might actually be useful for you all.

From what I've managed to dig up regarding surgery in the US, they have Prof. Igor Nikolic at Radiochirurgia and Dr. Pejić over at the Mayo Clinic.

Some folks on this forum mentioned that under Medicare, the procedure is covered for Americans through Dr. Pejić regardless of whether it's purely cosmetic. Other sources I've found suggest that the surgeon makes the final call on whether you're a candidate, often using a Haller index greater than 3.25 as a benchmark. I'm not sure which version is the truth yet, but I'll find out soon and update the thread.

At the Mayo Clinic, you need a referral for an exam, whereas at Radiochirurgia, you'll be paying $167. My advice? Get your CT, MRI, or X-rays done before these appointments. It saves you from wasting time being sent back for more scans or getting a subpar evaluation—like the one I got from a thoracic surgeon here who wasn't even one of the two specialists mentioned above.

If you're looking to pay out-of-pocket, I don't know the exact rates for the US, but you can likely get a quote from Radiochirurgia.

Medigroup in Mexico performs the surgery privately, but again, the surgeon has to clear you first. An initial consultation is about 4,000 dinars. Here’s the breakdown of costs they sent me via email:

Nuss procedure (1 rod) - 700,000 din
Nuss procedure (2 rods) - 840,000 din
Rods (materials) - 160,000-180,000 din
1 day in ICU - 36,000 din
1 day in hospital - 22,000 (expect at least 3-4 days)
Pre-op prep, X-rays, cardiology, etc. - 35,000 dinars
Medication - 50,000 din
In-patient rehab - 1,200 din

Keep in mind, these numbers are just estimates and represent the bare minimum.
Basically, if they actually agree to operate, you're looking at roughly $10,000-$13,000 total, excluding travel to Mexico.

I'm heading in for a CT scan shortly to confirm my Haller index. After that, I'm going to try to book appointments at both Radiochirurgia and the Mayo Clinic on the same day to see how their assessments compare.

I'll post an update once I know more so everyone knows what to expect.

My one piece of advice: don't waste your breath with local thoracic surgeons who have no intention of operating and will just try to refer you to Washington, D.C. Save your time and bypass them entirely.

Best,

Quick update.

Tried going through a private clinic for the CT, but even the private guys require a specialist's referral to perform the scan. Basically, you can't just walk in for imaging without seeing a thoracic surgeon first.

Unfortunately, this drags everything out. If you could just get the scan, you could establish the Haller index immediately and move the assessment along much faster.

I’ll keep posting updates here about my case so others can see what the process actually looks like. Heading to Mayo Clinic for a consultation soon.

P.S. For context, I have moderate pectus and struggle with physical exertion (I'll post a photo later so you can compare it to your own pectus, though looking at it won't give a proper clinical assessment or a real Haller index measurement).

Hey everyone, I don't want to clog up the feed, but I figured I'd drop some info here that might actually be useful for you all.

From what I've managed to dig up regarding surgery in the US, they have Prof. Igor Nikolic at Radiochirurgia and Dr. Pejić over at the Mayo Clinic.

Some folks on this forum mentioned that under Medicare, the procedure is covered for Americans through Dr. Pejić regardless of whether it's purely cosmetic. Other sources I've found suggest that the surgeon makes the final call on whether you're a candidate, often using a Haller index greater than 3.25 as a benchmark. I'm not sure which version is the truth yet, but I'll find out soon and update the thread.

At the Mayo Clinic, you need a referral for an exam, whereas at Radiochirurgia, you'll be paying $167. My advice? Get your CT, MRI, or X-rays done before these appointments. It saves you from wasting time being sent back for more scans or getting a subpar evaluation—like the one I got from a thoracic surgeon here who wasn't even one of the two specialists mentioned above.

If you're looking to pay out-of-pocket, I don't know the exact rates for the US, but you can likely get a quote from Radiochirurgia.

Medigroup in Mexico performs the surgery privately, but again, the surgeon has to clear you first. An initial consultation is about 4,000 dinars. Here’s the breakdown of costs they sent me via email:

Nuss procedure (1 rod) - 700,000 din
Nuss procedure (2 rods) - 840,000 din
Rods (materials) - 160,000-180,000 din
1 day in ICU - 36,000 din
1 day in hospital - 22,000 (expect at least 3-4 days)
Pre-op prep, X-rays, cardiology, etc. - 35,000 dinars
Medication - 50,000 din
In-patient rehab - 1,200 din

Keep in mind, these numbers are just estimates and represent the bare minimum.
Basically, if they actually agree to operate, you're looking at roughly $10,000-$13,000 total, excluding travel to Mexico.

I'm heading in for a CT scan shortly to confirm my Haller index. After that, I'm going to try to book appointments at both Radiochirurgia and the Mayo Clinic on the same day to see how their assessments compare.

I'll post an update once I know more so everyone knows what to expect.

My one piece of advice: don't waste your breath with local thoracic surgeons who have no intention of operating and will just try to refer you to Washington, D.C. Save your time and bypass them entirely.

Best,