Length of stay in hospital is approximately 5-7 days. Exercise is essential to a successful operation without any side effects. Exercise will cause breathlessness making the lungs re-expand to their former size and function. It is important for patients to take regular painkillers to control their pain so that exercise is achievable. Contact sports must be avoided for at least 3-4 months to ensure all bones are healed.
Recurrence is extremely uncommon.
There is a large incision, although this usually fades to a thin line. In males this may be covered by chest hair later in life and in females the scar is usually covered by the breasts. A rare complication known as asphyxiating osteodystrophy where the cartilages that have been operated on fail to grow which causes a constricting band around the chest and prevents lung expansion. For photo illustration, click here . After two years when permanent remoulding has occurred, the bar in removed.