Are there ways to correct a barrel chest in a 22 year old?

Question

I am female and I have a barrel chest from having severe asthma as an infant. While my asthma is completely gone, I am left with a very manly chest because the roundness flattens my breasts out. Overall, my body is slim but my ribs are disproportionately large. While I am aware I'm lucky this is all purely cosmetic and doesn't affect my physical health, I am wondering if there are options for me? Are there braces out there for this, and if so, is 22 to old to get any benefit from them?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Without photographs it's impossible to comment specifically. There are some very aggressive operations to correct chest wall abnormalities directly. Breast augmentation however can often times camouflage these substantially.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Difficult to give you  precise advice without viewing pictures or in-person examination; consider sending frontal/side view photographs with your next post. Sometimes, breast augmentation surgery is a good option to help “camouflage” chest wall aesthetic concerns.  You may find the attached link, demonstrating some example cases, helpful to you. Best wishes.

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, without the photos-- it is impossible to give accurate assessment-- please upload the photos. Sometimes you can hide the barrel chest by high profile implants over the muscle with attention to maximizing the cleavage.

Adam Hamawy, MD · Answer

It may be possible to hide a barrel chest by having breast implants to improve the relationship of your bust to your waist.  This really depends on your current breast size, your waist and how severe the barrel chest is.  It is good idea to see a plastic surgeon who can do 3D imaging and give you an idea of how breast implants may look if you had them placed and what size would give you a result that can make a difference.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Surgical procedures to alter your chest are major reconstructive  procedures that carry significant risk and will cause scarring.Breast augmentation could make your breasts more proportional to your chest with and help camouflage the barrel chest deformity.

Are there ways to correct a barrel chest in a 22 year old?

Answers (5)

Answer: How to camouflage a barrel chest

Answer: How to camouflage a barrel chest

Answer: Improve barrel chest

Answer: Improve barrel chest

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Are there ways to correct a barrel chest in a 22 year old?

Answers (5)

Answer: How to camouflage a barrel chest

Answer: How to camouflage a barrel chest

Answer: Improve barrel chest

Answer: Improve barrel chest

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.