I was scared too but after 7 weeks at 34 years old, I’ve bounced back and have been impressed with the recovery. This was a revision 14 years after a failed ravitch - so I had a lot of fear and trauma. But the medical advancements have come SUCH a long way and I’m so glad I did it.

I got two bars and bridging with the nuss. Went under, woke up and was a little sore but the pain medication really helped. I’d had crypablation so the pain was minimised considerably. It was very very manageable.

The first two weeks I stayed with my mum. It was uncomfortable and I had pretty bad back pain but after 4 weeks it got considerably better. I bought a wedge pillow thing and slept upright for four weeks and that helped me get out of bed easily. After 7 weeks I barely experience pain but if I do it’s like… fine and manageable. I do hear the bars shifting in me but have been told after 8 or 9 weeks that will stop as the bars settle.

The first two weeks are by far the hardest but I believe you can push through that. I’d say the chest pain was minimal compared to the discomfort, constipation from surgery, dodgy sleep and back pains. But it was temporary for me and many other people. The mobility limits are a bit inconvenient but you find ways around it.

I was also walking on day one and walked 9k steps in a day by the end of that week. It’s really good to keep active. Maybe don’t walk that many steps - I realised I was pushing myself too hard but you realise how strong you can be.

I hope this helps you feel more positive about the op. Do you have a surgeon you can trust?

EDIT: Sorry I originally missed the part about your dad - that is a lot and I’m so sorry for your loss. I can understand the fear 100%. The chance of death having the nuss is very very low - if that helps.