After Pectus Surgery

Have your child follow these guidelines until your surgeon tells you that they can stop.

• No pushing or pulling.
• Do not lift anything greater than 8 pounds (equal to a gallon of milk) for 2 months after surgery.
• No excessive twisting at their trunk.
• Do not lie or roll on their side.
• Do not raise their elbows above shoulder level.

• Your child can start taking showers 2 days after surgery.
• To avoid reaching overhead, keep bathing items like shampoo, soap and conditioner at lower levels.
• Your child will need to bend their head forward to wash their hair. They should be careful not to lift their elbows above shoulder level.

• Have your child wear loose-fitting and button-down shirts.
• To put on a t-shirt, have your child put their arms through the sleeves first and bring the shirt up to their shoulders. Then, bend their head down and pull the shirt over their head.
• To take off shirts, they need to remove their arms from the sleeves first, and then bend their head forward to pull it over their head.

• Your child will not be able to reach upper shelves.
• Put frequently used items like cups, glasses, plates and food items on lower shelves.

• Your child will have to sleep on their back for about 4 weeks. No side sleeping.
• Your child can try sleeping in a recliner. Or prop pillows under their upper back to put them in a raised position in bed.
• We can provide you with a foam wedge, if needed, to help your child with positioning options if lying flat is not comfortable.
• Your child will eventually be able to sleep on their side again. If it doesn’t hurt, it is OK.

• Walking is the best exercise to help your child recover from surgery. It will keep their lungs and heart healthy while helping their strength and endurance.
• Avoid formal training exercises like weightlifting, machine workouts or sports drills until the surgery team clears your child.
• Avoid activities which increase the chance of your child falling or having a sudden impact to their chest (bike riding, skateboarding, ball play, etc.).

• Your child may not drive while they are taking any pain medication. This may be up to 6 weeks.
• Once they are cleared to start driving again, make sure they can turn to check their blind spot or behind them without producing pain.

• Your child will need to stay out of school for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
• When your child returns to school, they will not be allowed to lift or carry backpacks or shoulder bags.
• Consider asking for a 2nd set of books (1 for home, 1 for school) if possible.
• If your child has an upper-level locker, ask if they can use a lower-level locker during their recovery.
• Your child may not take part in PE (physical education) until the surgery team says it’s OK.

• Your child should keep an upright posture when standing and sitting. They should not slump or slouch while sitting.
• This will help to keep the bar in place and promote deeper breathing to maintain their lung health during early recovery.