The Nuss Procedure

Post-surgery. NO HOLE!

Indy's last week of summer was spent at Primary Children's Hospital getting a bar put into his chest. Not a fun process! As he has grown, he had developed a sunken chest or a "hole" in the middle of his chest. It must be hereditary because our nephew Camden had the same thing. Cam had the same procedure a couple of years ago. They perform the Nuss procedure to correct it. It involves inserting a metal bar into the chest. Then they flip the bar so it pushes the sternum out and into correct alignment. Simple procedure, not so simple recovery. All the people at the hospital kept telling me that this is one of the most painful surgeries they do. 

These wires were for the constant pain meds that were being pumped into his back. 

He has 2 inch scars on either side of his chest.

Our movie-watching positions.

This was Indy for  most of the 4 days we were in the hospital.

Managing pain after the surgery is the worst part obviously. The second day was by far the worst.  He was constantly nauseous.  Couple that with the pain of throwing up when you chest muscles have just been cut!!! Poor guy. He definitely regretted his decision to have the surgery a few days after. But, now that we are 10 days out, I think he is glad to have the worst part out of the way and happy with his results. 

He was technically supposed to be out of school for 2 full weeks but that didn't happen. After missing 3 days he was determined to get back. He went back last Friday and was there the whole day. I think the worst part was just trying to sit comfortably in the hard chairs! 

So glad he is recovering well and can't wait to have him back to full health!