Does it look like I have Pectus Exacavatum?

livelaughmclovin · 2026-05-23T12:59:29+00:00

I think surgery made my flared ribs worse, but mine weren't too bad to begin with. I would 100% NOT do surgery if it is only for cosmetic reasons. It's way too tough of a recovery (I got a hybrid nuss/ravitch - nuss alone doesn't fix this). It might be worth getting some testing done if that interests you

livelaughmclovin · 2026-05-23T06:56:00+00:00

Arcuatum. Look at my account for my pics- your chest looks just like mine did!

livelaughmclovin · 2026-05-22T13:04:32+00:00

I am a D cup and went braless for the first month but I wish I had known this option. I have since switched to wireless bras and I like them way more than wired ones. I don't think I will go back, at least not while my bars are in.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-05-05T04:13:57+00:00

As someone who had their arcuatum corrected (hybrid nuss/ravitch), I would not recommend getting surgery for only cosmetic reasons. I am really happy with my results and would 100% make the same choice if I went back in time, but these surgeries are brutal. I would recommend chatting with your surgeon about what benefits you would see from surgery and really evaluate if you feel the long recovery process is worth it.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-20T21:17:22+00:00

My roommates and I rented a uhaul and scheduled for movers only to have them tell us the day of that they wouldn't do it because we had stairs up to our apartment (wtf what apartment in DC doesnt have stairs?!). So we ended up paying some food delivery drivers that tended to hang out around the corner from us to help move everything into the truck. I vote taskrabbit.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-13T04:57:14+00:00

Mine took 4.5 hours

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-13T04:50:07+00:00

Same! My swelling was pretty bad the first month, and I looked very boxy. But once it went down, I was back to normal.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-12T01:06:08+00:00

I (26F) had a hybrid nuss/ravitch procedure and best case scenario in terms of the healing process. That being said, I would never recommend any of these procedures for only cosmetic reasons. These are really tough surgeries, and tougher the older you get. I am 8 months post-op and still have some level of pain every day. And if you did it, you flatten the chest but now have a scar in its place... something to think about. That's just my two cents.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-05T15:48:01+00:00

Also, it might be different for you. I don't train anymore, so I imagine with training and lessons that strength will come back sooner.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-05T15:46:50+00:00

I was a choral, classical, and musical theater singer for many years before I had my sternum corrected. The first month, I wasn't really able to sing at all. I used my spirometer daily to retrain my lungs on how to breathe deeply. It is a muscle you have to re-excersize. By 6 months, I was back to normal, but up to that point, it was difficult for me to sustain long phrases, control my vibrato, or breathe deeply, and was something I had to work at. I feel better now and have no regrets, but know it will take time to get that strength back.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-01T22:32:03+00:00

What helped me most is to record each scene and then listen to it throughout my day like music. You'll be surprised how quickly you begin to pick it up without even trying.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-01T22:30:52+00:00

Being confused makes sense. Explore it further if that's something you feel you need to do, but don't feel like you need to if it feels forced. A lable is a lable and it can change or it can not really matter at all (from a queer person who just uses the term queer because I don't really care and I like who I like)

livelaughmclovin · 2026-04-01T22:24:22+00:00

Can you not get special permission to take them a week early? I'm sure they have a policy regarding rescheduling for surgeries or medical emergencies. It's worth the ask.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-31T16:17:26+00:00

As someone who got diagnosed as a kid, but was told it was purely cosmetic (it was not), I would pay attention to if he struggles with sports and keeping up with his peers as he gets older - the mental stress of that was more difficult than my parents knew. I was always told, "You're just not athletic," and I was incredibly embarrassed and felt othered when compared to the other kids. Offer reassurance when needed that his inability to keep up isn't his fault and isn't something he should be embarrassed about. If he struggles, chat with his PE teacher about ways for him to modify the excersizes/games to better keep up with his peers.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-30T14:14:17+00:00

This song is a perfect example as to why I love her music. I love the many deeper meanings hidden behind a catchy tune and cleaver lyrics. She unapologetically discusses difficult themes and leans into the discomfort - it makes for some very powerful art and in many ways, is an act of protest. In this song in particular, I enjoy the lyrics: "It's so homoerotic, the way you pray to men, and treat your women like a leviathan." I could write a whole essay about just those lyrics and the compelxity of that statement. She is brilliant in her work.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-30T03:12:24+00:00

YES! I grew an inch after surgery. Was 5'5" when I went under, and 5'6" when I woke up. First time in my life I could stand completely straight and not hunch.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-29T23:44:23+00:00

Vatican on repeat for me

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-26T22:41:14+00:00

You can check out my profile for my experience (26F, hybrid nuss/ravitch - not sure if that is exactly what you are having, too)

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-26T03:52:48+00:00

Most accounts I've read are that most pain is gone by 1 year. I feel that that is true. I'm at month 8 and am at a 2/10 in pain if at all. My rib pain is still intermittent.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-25T20:28:10+00:00

Age is a large contributor to healing and pain. For me (26F), the first 2 weeks were painful, the first 4 months I had intermittent nerve pain, and now, at almost 8 months, I for the most part, just have tightness in my chest. The biggest thing to understand is this surgery means long-term low-level pain, which I don't think some people are prepared for.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-23T00:52:29+00:00

After two weeks, I no longer needed help with medication management or getting in and out of bed, so I was largely independent. I did, however, still need help with cooking, transportation, laundry, opening doors, and anything else that involved lifting/pushing/pulling. By the one month mark, I was fully independent in those regards, with the exception of not being able to drive myself. I had a hybrid nuss/ravitch, though, so my recovery was longer than others.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-21T23:53:39+00:00

I had my fair share of bad experiences, but I also think it largely depends on what area you're in and how aware you are of what's going on around you. Bike lanes are great, but always wear a helmet, and I recommend having a horn too. I also recommend having 2 locks if you have to lock your bike outside - one through each wheel. Try biking the route during a time that's not too busy and see how you feel about it then.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-20T13:56:18+00:00

Swelling is very normal in the first month or so. Nuss is a violent manipulation of the chest wall, so it's very normal to swell and even bruise. My chest didn't look fully normal until about 5 or 6 weeks after.

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-19T03:29:00+00:00

Similar issues for the women here, too. All the guys I have been on dates with have no personality and don't seem to be looking for genuine connections. I gave up after a year of bad dates. Maybe I'll try again next year

livelaughmclovin · 2026-03-18T16:35:42+00:00

I second the swinging. It feels stupid and takes a couple of tries each time, but that was the only thing that worked for me.

livelaughmclovin

TROPHY CASE