This hub will go through the details of post operative care. The things you should do after having the surgery to speed up recovery and to get the full benefit of the pectus excavatum surgery. 

Patients will kept well sedated on the first 1 to 3 days for pain management and to prevent bar displacement. Medications and therapies depend on the patient's response to pain and may include the use of ephidural catheter, or morphine.

Patients are usually discharged from the hospital when they can walk unassisted and have become used to the bar. 

Day 1 & 2:

- Out of bed with assistance

- NO chest or wasit bending

- NO twisting

- NO log rolling

- Deep breathing  , every hour when awake

Day 3:

- Out of bed with minimal assistance

- No chest or waist bending

- No twisting

- NO log rolling

- Deep breathing every hour 

 Once you are discharged from hospital it is very important to maintain good posture and limit activity for the first month until you have gotten used to the bar. Regular activity can be recommenced within 4 to 6 weeks. 

When returning to regular exercise its important to remember these points

- Frequent walking will help you become accustomed with the bar

- Deep breathing exercise performed twice a day , every evening and morning to really expand the chest and get the full benefits of the surgery.

- No wasit bending, twisting or log rolling for first 4 weeks at home

- Keeping a straight back and no slouching for the first month

- No heavy lifting for two months following the surgery

- No contact sports for the first three months following surgery 

I hope this hub helps people decide whether or not surgery is for them after seeing what it will be like to recover and the amount of restrictions you must follow afte the surgery. The next pectus excavatum hub will be on the bar removal procedure.