Dr. Klaus Schaarschmidt

I’m from Poland. I’m 48 years old. It was the last time for decision. I had date reservation in Poland (one year wait) . While when I was waiting for surgery I got contact with prof. Klaus Schaarschmidt. He had answered immediately and invited me for professional operation on my chest. I've never seen in Poland as hospital as Berlin Buch. There is very well. I saw that staves working calmly and everyone knew what they should do. Prof. Schaarschmidt has amazing hands for difficult work. He is like quick man. I felt safely with him. I had pectus excavatum 3 cm symmetric. Before surgery prof. suggested one bar inside my chest, but while surgery he decided used 2 bars because my bones were hard. After surgery I was exercising with prof. Schaarchmidt and physiotherapist and his assistant and of course with my sweetie wife. It was difficult time for me but I survived. I felt pain that I can't slept all night without painkiller. While sitting or standing was OK but when I laying it was bad I felt tough pain. I was constantly sleepy and I couldn't working. After three month I've put off painkillers and I came back to work. After six month I was beginning workout: jogging, gym and soccer. My chest looks better and better. I'm more confident person than before. My dream realized and I won new dreams. Now is nine month after surgery. I can definitely put my opinion it was the gorgeous decision to do surgery by prof. Klaus Schaarschmidt.

I first noticed that I had pectus when I was 12 years old when a friend of mine commented it during a shower after gym class. At first I didn't care but when I got older (14-15) and started to meet girls I got really anxious about it. I didn't really have a big bump, but it was assymetrical and also I had pretty bad rib flare.

Tried to see a doctor here in Sweden but they told me it was nothing, that it wouldn't show when I put on some weight (I was quite skinny as a kid). Of course I started working out and put on alot of weight, and I guess it got alittle bit less prominent. But I still developed a social anexity about it. Summer was the worst, I never wanted to go swim with my friend or take my shirt off. So I would hide inside at the gym or by my computer.

At this time I did some research and figured out that I had PC. I actually read up on Prof Schaarschmidt at this time and printed some info etc and gave the doctor another try. Still they laughed me off and said it was nothing, everyone is diffrent etc.... At that moment I decided that I would work my ass off to be able to pay for the operation myself. So I started to work part time while still in school to start the operation funds. I kept working out of course because I still had some hope that it would eventually hide it enough.

However when I got older, around 19-20, I noticed that I started to get alot of back pain, it was always on my left side (where the bump was "larger") so I had to stop working out. Also I felt like my upper body was always "rotated" when doing some exercise like rows, pull down or overhead lifts. I went to several physiotherapeuts but noone could help me. My back muscle on the left side was underdeveloped and I had a winged scapula on left side.

So finally in the beginning of 2017 I had saved enough money to get the operation done in Berlin. I e-mailed Klaus and sent some pictures. He answered very fast and gave me some answers to my questions like my back issues but he said it would be easier if he could see it in person. So me and my mother took a flight to Berlin to meet him. He looked at my chest and did some measurement and told me indeed I have pectus carinatum. Felt so good to get confirmation that it was actually PC. I asked if he would recommend the surgery, especially with my back/shoulder issues. He said he couldn't promise me anything but that it was likely it would help and that it was up to me to decide. After all it was not a huge PC and it's quite an operation to go through.

But I decided to do it and I got an operation time only 2 months from our meeting which was very quick and nice! However when I got to the hospital on operation day they had forgot to tell me I had to get some tests done like EKG/Blood tests/lung test/x-ray. So the day before operation I had to rush around the hospital just as they were about to close to get the tests but thanks to all the kind doctors it was made in time!

The anaesthesia and operation went well. However the pain when I woke up and the following days/week was alot worse than I anticipated. But the nurses were really nice and if it was to much to bare I could just ask for more painkillers. He fixed both my PC and my flared ribs with 1 bar. Also I want to say the language barrier can be alittle rough sometimes if you don't speak deutsch but with some imagination it is no problems. Also don't cheat on your breathing exercises, it will hurt but you have to do it! Prof Schaarschmidt visited me a few times and made sure I didn't cheat on them but it was tempting sometimes. I also got some water in my lungsack (500ml left side) so I had to puncture it to drain it (350ml) because Klaus told me he wouldn't feel safe with me flying home without having it drained.

Now it's around 6 weeks since my operation, I am quite satisfied. My chest looks really good and also my flared ribs. But I rate the cosmetic part 9/10 since on my right side I still have some flare, nothing major but still. Also I've talked to Prof Schaarschmidt about it and he tells me it is easy to fix during bar removal so I hope he is right! Also it did help alot with the back and shoulder issues which is great. I still have to get my mobility and strength up after all those years with PC but I am sure it will be fine.

I would recommend Dr Schaarschmidt to anyone looking to get the chest fixed. After all he is the most experienced surgeon when it comes to this kind of operations.

To be honest i didnt expect such a perfect effect. I always wanted to repair my pe and rib flare but was aware that it is extremely hard to reach a overall esthetic satisfaction. For me it was like, anything is better than this. Dr. Klaus Schaarschmidt repair my rib flare just right, i am finally over with my pe, thank you so much doctor Klaus!

Professor Schaarschmidt corrected my extra large asymmetric Pectus Carinatum and small Pectus Excavatum with „Reverse-Nuss-Operation" within a period of two years and two operations.

The result is physically and aesthetically extremely satisfying. His professionalism, exceptional skill, many years of extensive experience and a very high standard of quality makes him, in my opinion, to a top leading surgeons for this procedure.

I can highly recommend him

Tino Sand
Switzerland

If you are looking for the best professional for a Nuss procedure with correction of rib flare, he is by far the best one in the world in terms ox experience and results. In this hospital they are managing a volume of Pectus Excavatum and Carinatum per year (between 200 and 300 cases per year), far away from the number of cases of any other hospital in the world. This doctos is highly skilled and will repair your rib flare without any extra incision, using the same one done for the bar implant/removal. It is a key point, because most surgeons do not repair rib flaring. Furthermore, the look of the scars is pretty much better with this surgeon. He does not leave any dent at all. I had the first surgery (bar implant) with another doctor in Uk, and the second surgery (bar removal and rib repair) here in Berlin with Dr. Klaus. The result is muuuch better in the second case, they know much more about. Regarding the hospital, they do not push you out, being able to stay all the days you need. The hospital is brand new, comfortable and well equipped, the nurses awesome and supportive. Do not look for anymore, it is the place and this is the Doctor, trust me.