Genetic Defects

[BlueAura]

I've got a weird concaved chest which developed since the age of about 7 to 15 when I'd just about finished growing. Since I started lifting its definitely less prominent. If you flick to the pic in my journal you'll see what I mean. Its... odd and bugs me. Doesn't help with me being so light weight.

Anyone got anything similar or any of their own genetic defects?

[edge-man]

I can't really see concave chest in that pic, looks pretty normal to be honest. You can isolate different parts of the pectorals, adjusting the incline of the bench is one example, and there are many threads on this subject. Look in Hulk's sig in this link at the bottom here . Hope this helps

[Delphi]

Try a Google search on "Pectus excavatum."

If it's on the internet, it's gotta be true.

[BlueAura]

God damn, I have its like this because of a zinc difficency. Why didn't my parents feed me zinc?

I knew it was called that before but I didn't know it was caused by a zinc deficiency. I went to my GP about two years ago an said to him look, can you do anything for me and he basically said "no". So I told him about the surgery I'd seen on the web and he said "they do anything in America".

Anyway two years on it seems there are some surgeons in the UK who do this now. I'm looking into it.

Its gonna hurt though have you seen the pictures?

[Exnor]

There is no known cause, zinc deficiency is merely a theory. The most likely cause will be genetics, combined with compounded bad posture. Improving overall posture is often the best way to improve the look of your PE, and possibly correct it.

For more information on improving posture to help PE go here: http://www.users.bigpond.com/conover/PE/exercise2.htm

[BlueAura]

Tried already, it's improved it to the state its at now

[jimmyD]

my son was born with pectus.We have been going to Duke for it around 2 times a year. there is currently 2 different surgeries for it. and alot of times they wont do it unless it is deep enough to to cause organ problems. My sons has his heart pushed to the left alittle and has changed the axis of it but they still say its not bad enough. Then comes the "look" of it. some doctors will do the surgery for self image but they are harder to find. what we have researched on it is that it never gets better on its own. Most of the time it stays the same but occasionally gets worse.
surgery #1: "old way" : cut chest in the center remove all cartlage from brestbone to ribcage.insert a bar behind breastbone from ribs.cartlage grows back very fast. pros:back to normal activities within 6 weeks, back to full contact sports in less than 6 mo. the only pain on this one comes from the stitches like normal. cons: big scar in center of chest.
surgery #2: cut 2 small slits in sides of rib cage slide a concave bar between ribs from one side to other then turn it to push out on breastbone. pros:2 very small scars under arms. CONS:very painful.2-5% of paitiens have to have it removed within 2 weeks due to unbearable pain.takes 6 months for full normal activites and then no contact sports for up to a year.the bar stays in for up to 2 years. (imgine if you have had braces or know someone who has and the dentist just tightened them way over tight.imagine that in your chest!)
we are monitoring our sons close with pictures and frequent checks but were not sure we want him to go through all that with it not being medically nessasary. wish ya the best of luck in whatever way you go with it and send me a IM if ya have anything i may be able to help u with.

[edge-man]

That sounds pretty painful, and I would guess that it'l be a long time after an operation that you could even consider weight training again. Sometimes when I do a first rep on a bench my ribcage makes a clicking sound, there must be one hell of a force acting on it, so any adjustment of the bone structure would not be able to support such weight until the cartilage and intercostals have grown back/repaired. Thats just my idea, I may be talking trash.

[AllUp]

Seems normal to me (visually), I wouldn't exactly say its concave.

[BlueAura]

With currect posture and tensed abs it tends to straighten it out quite a bit, but when you go in the bath and you have a miniture lake in the centre of your chest you know there is definatly a concave there.

Edge-Man: Correct. Cartilage apparently grows back very fast but for the bones to heal about 6 weeks, skin tissue a few months. They recon contact sports after 6 months.

I'm undecided whether to have it done if they offer it me. In the long term is good except for the scar from one side of my chest to the other, short term it'll be hell. I'll be in hospital for at least 2 weeks, won't be able to work for 6 months and won't be able to execise properly for about the same amount of time.

[jimmyD]

Hey blue -you need to search alot on it on the web. We had mothers of kids sending us pictures and full reports about the new surgery. they all said it was very painfull and that the old surgery was the way to go due to thepain. Im not tryin to talk you out if it and it must be ok if they still do it. I someones eyes being a BB may mean they really dont want the scar down the center of the chest. keep us posted as we are still deciding on our sons. and wish ya the best!

[BlueAura]

Thanks jimmyD, all the best for your family too.

[Reinier]

I've seen much worse man I wouldn't worry about it unless there's a functional problem with it.

It's not worth it for the surgery, IMO