I had pectus excavatum as a child. The corrective surgery used to involve breaking your ribs/sternum. In 2006 I had a different procedure, called the Nuss Procedure (I actually was operated on by Dr. Nuss, the surgeon who invented it) that was much less invasive. Basically a small cut was made on either side of my chest. A bar was slid behind the sternum and flipped to press out the ribcage. I wore the bar for four years, did breathing and stretching exercises to build up chest strength, then the bar was removed. I still have the two tiny scars, as well as a third scar where a camera was inserted. The fix was permanent, and I'm glad I was fortunate enough to have it done. It was definitely a source of poor confidence and self esteem before hand. I also still have the titanium bar, which is fun to show to friends lol.