abhik512
Contributing Member
Posts: 3
Registered: 3-4-2010
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19 yr old with p.e (considering surgery, need opinions)
Hey guys, im a new member on these forums and wanted to post some of my pectus pics to see what you guys think.
I live in chicago and visited dr. donald liu a couple of months ago. He said that my pectus was maybe a 2 or a 3 on a scale of 1-10 and thus i decided
against any further steps cuz it didnt seem worth it.
Now my pectus is still on my mind and if the surgery can be financed by insurance or w/e i want to get it done. My chest has grown to be an annoyance
everyday, everytime i put on a shirt etc.
The doctor did say further tests can be done such as the CT scan etc. Just wanted to know what u guys think
The P.E is more prevalent on my right side, and my left side just has slight upper. There is a considerable depression when i put on a shirt.
Here are pics
Right side
Right side 2
Right side 3
Left side 1
Left side 2
Left side diagonal
Down up view
Top down view
Top down view 2
Another view
Another view 2
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edgey
Posting Freak
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Location: Toronto
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Mood: Getting on with Post-PE life
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There is some unusual undulation there, but its pretty mild. I doubt very much you would meet any insurance company's coverage criteria.
So the only thing I would suggest is to work out and put on a bit more muscle and see if that helps.
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Randy
Contibuting Member
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Registered: 12-22-2005
Location: St. Louis MO
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Mood: Always Fun & Positive
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Pix #6 & #7 seem to show what appears to be a shallow but wide depression, with a protrusion where the lower ribs tie into the sternum. Although
you (and all us) hate any type of PE your is mild. Most likely not be approved for any insurance covered PE repair. I would still contact the best PE
surgeons near your home and get their opinion. If you really hate that dent, start saving some cash.
Randy
well, just taking one day at a time and Praying our Great Country "Gets Back On It's Feet"
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abhik512
Contributing Member
Posts: 3
Registered: 3-4-2010
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thanks for the feedback
i know my condition is mild, but if there is improvement possible then i definitely want to try to get surgery. Is there no chance that such a dent
can be covered by insurance?
As i said i've been to Dr. Donald liu before and they said that they would try their best to help me get this covered if i do decide to pursue my
intentions.
How do they measure the haller index?, the depression on my right side doesnt look as bad in the pics because part of my chest is fairly normal, i
feel like the depression is significant just by feeling it or putting my hand there. Do they only measure it down the middle of ur chest and see how
deep a depression is or how do they do it.
My chest actually looks worse with a regular tshirt on. It looks liek a huge crater when im wearing a shirt because of teh wideness of the
depression, it has been pointed out to me by my friends several times also.
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BlazingFire
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Registered: 7-26-2007
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It wouldn't hurt to try and get approved. I say go for it!
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elston
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Mood: Moody
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The haller index is the distance of the inside ribcage divided by the distance between the vertebrae and sternum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haller_index
A CT-Scan will be required.
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abhik512
Contributing Member
Posts: 3
Registered: 3-4-2010
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how much does the ct scan itself cost?
n also what do u guys think my haller would be. i think im' gonna try to get the ct scan done in the next 3 weeks or so
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Pectosaurus
Contributing Member
Posts: 131
Registered: 3-4-2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Mood: weaning off pills...
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Definitely get the CT scan if the insurance will cover. Mine covered the scan after they sent over the pre-certification paperwork. Otherwise my CT
would have cost almost $2,000 according to the papers my insurer sent me. If they cover it and your Haller index score isn't high enough for surgery,
no harm done. If they cover and your Haller index score IS high enough then you have one of the best pieces of evidence of "surgical necessity" on
your side in the fight againt the insurer for Nuss, etc.
Also, if you go ahead with the CT make sure to look at Newtonian's post about the CHKD protocol and tips for breathing during the CT scan. They helped
me!
Best of luck, welcome, and keep us posted!
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