I was intrigued to learn that breast augmentation can help resolve the accentuated problem of being a woman, with a barrel chest. For what it's worth, I support the decision, it is corrective surgery. You shouldn't have any difficulty with any prerequisites for the procedure. Although it is day surgery, it is usually elective and a lot more responsibility for vetting your surgeon is on you. Check out the implants as well in terms of how long certain types have been successfully in people, and the manufacturer.
I have researched the topic of correcting a barrel chest in the recent past. A barrel chest can develop due to two major problems. Internally, as your lungs became less and less efficient, you unconsciously hyper inflated your lungs, eventually expanding your chest volume permanently in the form of a barrel chest. My lungs are original and fine but I have had a barrel chest and a kyphosis or hunch for a long time.
From too young, I remember my parents and grandmother reminding me to stand straight. In high school I was 5'11" at 113 pounds and consumed 5000 Calories daily. When I look at snapshots from that time I have a defined hunch in some pictures and good posture in a few. Maldigestion and malabsorption cause several problems and it's not just coincidence that we have barrel chests and crappy teeth.
I just saw my endocrinologist for my annual visit. Even at 64 they are claiming I can reverse my osteopenia. Strengthening your bones will arrest further postural deterioration and the rate of CFer's lifespan is increasing such that I suggest not waiting until more painful bone disease develops. Up to about age 40, we have the ability to correct postural deterioration caused by poor nutrition. The easy deformity in the ribs owes quite a bit to osteopenia at a young age.
A lot of people with postural deformities are walking around and we don't know that they have or had corrective actions including a number of specialists. Just a week ago I had a back Xray and when I was giving the image a look I was struck by how my spine defined my barrel chest. If I could magically straighten the lordosis, kyphosis and another "osis" I can't remember, my chest would be almost normal.
I suggest you seek the same sources germane to postural correction. An Osteopath can give you everything from a custom brace that actually will correct your posture and move your ribs to a natural position. There is a discipline that has its school in Boulder Colorado, called Rolphing. The practitioners are trained physical therapists whose specialty is realigning the fasciae and mesentaries surrounding each muscle, tendon and such on the body. Part of the barrel chest and most acquired postural issues are slipped membranes resulting in and from injuries and adhesions.
Over my lifetime I have tried too many off the shelf braces found at medical supply stores. None have worked. You may not be able to tolerate this, I have tried and failed at back sleeping on a carpeted board, pillow optional but try to lower the height until it is possible to go without a pillow. This is a known therapy for postural correction but it should be with the knowledge of your doctor, hopefully the osteopath that you've teamed up with.
Most physical therapy aids in posture. There are a dozen different disciplines that fall between conventional and holistic approaches to correcting your barrel chest. At your age I believe that reversing any bone weakening and your posture and barrel chest can be done. It will come down to how badly you want it. The lungs you use may be too large to expect any change so if breast augmentation is the best choice, it's OK.
Good luck,
LL
