Pectus excavatum (sunken chest) advice/discussion

Daniel Edwards3 said:Could someone please walk me through this? I'm trying to figure out exactly which tests and scans I'll need to undergo, and more importantly, what the total damage is going to be? I mean, what is the full breakdown of costs including all the diagnostic results and every other associated expense?

Well, following a referral from your primary care physician, you would typically see an orthopedist or perhaps a thoracic surgeon—though the latter is often the better route. You'll likely be looking at undergoing spirometry, an EKG, and a chest X-ray. Honestly, though, everything really hinges on how pronounced the deformity actually is, because some people deal with a minor PE and end up spiraling into unnecessary panic. For this condition to truly impact things like heart or lung function, the displacement needs to be clearly visible and proportionally significant...
Cosmetic correction is a whole different ballgame entirely!

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.

Thanks for the latest update.

My kid is 15 and has had PE since birth. Now that he’s hitting puberty, things have taken a turn for the worse.
We didn't want to put him through a CT scan, so we went with X-rays and an MRI instead. They showed a Haller index of about 7,
which means a pretty severe pectus excavatum, and it looks like the Nuss procedure might be his only real option.
The thoracic surgeon is warning us that the surgery carries significant risks and that the recovery is incredibly painful, which is honestly making us hesitate even more.
Maybe the risk is higher because the indentation is so deep, potentially putting pressure on his heart during the procedure.
Anyway, I really wanted to hear some actual details from someone who has actually been through this. Most of the articles I've dug up
suggest the "sweet spot" for this surgery is between ages 10 and 16. Based on that, I thought you were in a category where they wouldn't even perform the operation.
But hey, it’s good to know that medical science is always evolving.

What was your Haller index before the surgery? And did you go through with it because of physical symptoms (if so, what were they?), or was it purely for cosmetic reasons?
I can see it affecting my son's confidence—he gets so self-conscious at the beach, always trying to wrap himself in a towel the second he steps out of the water.
He doesn't even enjoy swimming much anymore, even though he’s been swimming in a pool three times a week for years, which hasn't done anything to fix the deformity.
Then again, maybe it would have been even worse if he hadn't gone through with it, though from where I’m standing right now, it feels like it can't get any worse than this.

He sees a pulmonologist, a cardiologist, and a thoracic surgeon on a regular basis, and all his functions are currently within the normal range,
even though the deformity is obviously visible. But we’ve also been warned that even if everything seems fine now—and he’s active with gym class, swimming, and tennis—problems could crop up
when he hits his 30s or 40s. We're talking potential heart and lung issues... That's what scares us, and why we want to take action now if we can.
Have you looked into Vacuum Bell therapy? Some studies suggest there can be improvements
with long-term use, provided it's done under medical supervision. Our doctor hasn't mentioned this option at all,
so we’ll have to bring it up when we head back in for his next follow-up appointment.
Sorry for bombarding you with all these questions, but you seemed like the best source of real information I could find.

Thanks so much, and I wish you nothing but the best with your recovery.

I’m also really curious about the specifics mentioned in the comment by Tyler Lopez62, specifically how long you all had to wait for surgery and what the whole prep process looks like before the big day!
Regarding the Vacuum Bell, I actually gave it a shot about six months ago, and let me tell you, it is quite a commitment if you're looking for actual results... the therapy can honestly drag on for years. Plus, if you're using it at maximum suction, after about an hour the skin around the edges starts getting pretty irritated, which can be super painful until you finally get used to it. In my experience, the deformity really needs to be symmetrical and ideally concentrated right in the center of the chest to work well, but that’s just not my situation... mine stretches all the way from my collarbone down to the end of my sternum, and it's fairly wide and asymmetrical toward the right side. Because of that, I can't get the Vacuum Bell to stay suctioned properly, so whenever I twist or move around, the seal breaks and the whole VB just pops right off! If your situation isn't like mine, it might actually be worth a try, and some people say the VB can help stretch the bones out before a Nuss procedure to make them more flexible, so the surgery itself isn't such a massive shock to the system... at least, that's what they say. I'm 22 now and I think I'm just going to go for the Nuss... I haven't had any official scans done yet, but if I had to guess based on photos I've seen online, I'd say my Haller index is somewhere between a 3 and a 4, though obviously, you can't really judge that accurately just by looking in the mirror...

Where did you guys pick up a Vacuum Bell?
I stumbled upon this, but honestly, the site feels a bit sketchy to me. What should I be looking out for when buying one? Are the prices usually in this ballpark? My son has a dent that’s about the size of a saucer—pretty wide, too—but at least it's symmetrical.

It’s been about nine months now, and I finally have some real updates to share with everyone here. I figured I’d lay it all out in case anyone else finds themselves stuck in this same kind of mess.
This kind of deformity isn't exactly common—you can tell just by looking at how much activity there's been on this thread lately.
After doing a ton of deep diving and talking it over from every possible angle, we finally pulled the trigger on surgery. Here’s the general gist of how it went down:



I’ve been digging into this for quite a while now, doing my own homework, but honestly? The whole thing finally clicked for me when my kid was the one who brought it up. They were the one who actually suggested we head in that direction, and that was really the turning point.
It looks like he finally realized that despite all his grinding and trying so hard, nothing actually changed through exercise. All that effort, and still zero results.
I had my procedure done at the Mayo Clinic this past summer, and honestly, I can’t say enough good things about the thoracic surgeon, Dr. Josip Pejić, and his entire surgical team. They were absolutely top-notch.
They really knocked it out of the park with this one. Honestly, having two full months before the new school year kicks off was exactly what we needed—just enough breathing room for my kid to fully recover and get back into the swing of things before heading back to class.
With all these temporary restrictions in place—for example, he hasn't done any actual physical education or sports at school for like a month and a half now—I’m still the one driving him back and forth to and from school every single day.
Honestly, if you want to avoid those suffocating crowds on public transit—partly because I don't want someone accidentally shoving me into an injury, and partly because, let's be real, just thinking about COVID still gives me a massive wave of anxiety—you really have to plan ahead. It’s about avoiding that packed-in-like-sardines feeling where one wrong move from a stranger could actually hurt you. Between the physical risk and the constant stress of being in close quarters with people, staying away from peak rush hour is the only way to keep my sanity intact.
If he catches some nasty virus and starts coughing his lungs out, man, that would be just devastating ☹️. But hey, at the last checkup, he finally got the green light from the doctors to get moving.
I’m planning on getting back into gym classes at school and maybe some swimming too—if I can actually find a lane that isn't completely packed. The goal is to be fully recovered within the next three months, and then...
Get back in shape like I was before the surgery.

The surgery itself went incredibly well. I actually spent some time watching surgical footage from top-tier clinics here in the States, and honestly? I can only say that our doctors are absolutely world-class.
They’re highly educated, they stay on top of the latest cutting-edge methods, and honestly, they’re constantly coming up with better ways to make surgeries less risky. But you know how it goes—you hardly ever see any actual coverage about that. It's like nobody bothers to write about the progress being made.
People just don't know—and honestly, it’s not like we knew either.

The first few days were brutal—honestly, pretty agonizing. They did warn us ahead of time that it was going to be rough, but man, they weren't kidding. Thankfully, once we got him on enough analgesics, we were able to manage the pain and get through it. He’s already been given all his follow-up instructions.
What kind of exercises should I be doing? And honestly, what’s the best way to actually get out of bed? During those first couple of months right after surgery, I learned the hard way that you absolutely cannot just jump up without thinking. It was so critical not to push it too fast.
The goal is to get that plate moved just enough to give everything space to heal properly. It’s been over a month since the surgery, and honestly, he still needs a hand just getting up from a lying position. Progress is slow.
Maybe we were being a bit overly cautious, but honestly, it was worth the extra effort just to make sure those tiles didn't shift. At least we know the job was done right.
It’s been five days since the surgery, and I finally made it out of the hospital. Regarding the pain management, I haven't been sticking to a strict schedule; I just take the analgesics whenever the pain starts creeping up on me. At the very beginning, I was needing them about three times a day, and that happened pretty fast.
It only happened twice. After about a month, he was only reaching for an Advil once a day, and even then, it wasn't every single day. Then, fast forward two and a half months...
He isn't taking anything anymore. Right after he got discharged from the hospital, we started hitting the pavement with light walks every single day. After five weeks of that, we finally went...
Hey, so I hit the water earlier. I could have gone for a swim, but let’s be real—it wasn't exactly "real" swimming. It was more like just splashing around and treading water. Honestly, I felt totally wiped out, like I didn't even have the strength to actually stroke or pull my arms through the water. Just zero momentum.
So, we weren't even pushing it that hard. He didn't even get back on the bike until two months had passed. Honestly, he could have started riding much sooner, but he just wouldn't—mostly because he was being overly cautious, terrified he might take a spill or something.
Move the tile.

So, looking back at all the follow-ups we've had—aside from getting those staples pulled out two weeks after the surgery—we’ve already been in for two appointments with the thoracic surgeon and two more with...
At the cardiologist right now. Looks like we’ve got follow-up appointments scheduled with them in about two months, plus an extra trip to see a pulmonologist if everything stays on this same track.
Alright, look, my take on this? I honestly think we're going to see these check-ups happen a whole lot less frequently from here on out.

I have to admit, we had to get pretty lucky just to find someone in the States who actually performs these kinds of procedures. We ended up going to the Hospital for Special Surgery because that's where they did it.
A few years back, they used to, but not anymore—even though they still coordinate with the Mayo Clinic. I actually read somewhere that they even have a specialized team over in Miami handling pediatric surgery.
But honestly, that’s all I know about it. Once we dug up that bit of info, I just kind of stopped digging. Didn't feel like chasing my tail any further. This is where I found it:
I’ve gotta give a massive shout-out to Dr. Josip Pejić. Honestly, everything went way smoother than I ever expected—knock on wood, right? It was such a relief. Of course, we aren't entirely out of the woods yet; there's another surgery on the horizon in about two years, but for now, I'm just feeling incredibly grateful that this part is behind us.
So, I’m looking into getting this plate removed. From everything I’ve been digging up, this procedure seems like a total breeze compared to that first surgery, and the recovery time should be way faster too.
Look, there’s also this whole procedure where they basically have to rip out the tile that’s become embedded in the tissue. I know, it sounds absolutely gruesome, but honestly? We trust them.
I've got full confidence in the crew over at the Mayo Clinic; they're going to knock it out of the park just like they always do.

Hey, I'm 16 and from Canada. Over the last couple of years, I've noticed a bit of a gynecomastia situation going on—nothing crazy, but you can tell if I wear tight clothes or if someone looks closely. I've been digging around online and saw stuff about surgery or using compression vests. Honestly, since it's pretty mild, I'd rather just deal with a vest. I've seen people doing both surgery and using various types of vests across Europe. Does anyone know if there's a specific department or clinic in the North America that handles this? If so, please drop a website or anything.

Thanks in advance.
Peace.

Anthony Collins8 said:Hey, I'm 16 and from Canada. Over the last couple of years, I've noticed a bit of a gynecomastia situation going on—nothing crazy, but you can tell if I wear tight clothes or if someone looks closely. I've been digging around online and saw stuff about surgery or using compression vests. Honestly, since it's pretty mild, I'd rather just deal with a vest. I've seen people doing both surgery and using various types of vests across Europe. Does anyone know if there's a specific department or clinic in the North America that handles this? If so, please drop a website or anything.

Thanks in advance.
Peace.

You can look for more information here, for example:

Anthony Collins8 said:Hey, I'm 16 and from Canada. Over the last couple of years, I've noticed a bit of a gynecomastia situation going on—nothing crazy, but you can tell if I wear tight clothes or if someone looks closely. I've been digging around online and saw stuff about surgery or using compression vests. Honestly, since it's pretty mild, I'd rather just deal with a vest. I've seen people doing both surgery and using various types of vests across Europe. Does anyone know if there's a specific department or clinic in the North America that handles this? If so, please drop a website or anything.

Thanks in advance.
Peace.

Look, I'm 43. People with pectus deformity are rare—they say maybe 1 in 1,000—and those with the actual protrusion (carinatum) are even rarer. I went through the surgery, and now I'm just trying to deal with life. I guess you could call me a man without hope. I don't want to rain on your parade, but I do want to warn you. I don't know what your financial situation looks like, but be careful. I'm not trying to scare you off, but really think about the surgery first. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. FIND OUT EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SURGERY METHOD, WHO THE DOCTOR IS, AND CHECK THEIR PATIENT HISTORY... Not to drag this out, though. I picked the wrong surgeon. My email is
deleted at user's request
so feel free to reach out anonymously. I don't want you to end up like me. I'd love to chat, give some advice, or just talk about this TOUGH subject. I had my surgery back in 2004, and things have changed a lot since then. Reach out if you need support, doesn't matter why. Talking might even help me mentally.

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,

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).

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: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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Peter Clark4 said: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.

Do you think there's any shot at getting a Vacuum Bell covered by Medicare?

Peter Clark4 said: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.

So, I went with the 19 cm Vacuum Bell. Honestly though, I'm torn between getting it from pectushealing.com or vacuum-bell.net. There's like a 15 dollar difference, but the thing I like about the pectus healing one is you can actually pop the pump off so it isn't constantly digging into your chest while you're wearing it.

blueowl11 said:So, I went with the 19 cm Vacuum Bell. Honestly though, I'm torn between getting it from pectushealing.com or vacuum-bell.net. There's like a 15 dollar difference, but the thing I like about the pectus healing one is you can actually pop the pump off so it isn't constantly digging into your chest while you're wearing it.

Who in their right mind would pay full price at pectushealing.com? I can probably score one for like 60% of the retail cost. Don't ask me how, just DM me if you want in.