What is the recovery time for pectus excavatum repair?

It probably depends on whether you get the Nuss operation (which includes putting a bar in the chest and having it removed several years later) or the Ravitch operation. I had the Ravitch operation so I can only really speak to that one. The average hospital stay is 3-5 days, then two weeks before most can go back to school/work. Physical exertion is limited for 2-3 months. Chest numbness can last for several months or, in some cases, feeling may never return at all.