Pectus excavatum appears to be the name of both his condition AND a specific surgery. And there are additional types of surgeries that can be performed to alleviate other issues.
The condition isn't JUST a cosmetic issue. Compressed heart, Compressed aorta and thus reduced blood flow, compressed lung.
www.mayoclinic.org
Crowder reported having issues breathing even when standing up, which fits some of the reported issues.
And while the surgery is sometimes done for cosmetic reasons, it is absolutely false that surgeries are ONLY done for aesthetics.
They Mayo Clinic themselves touts improved lung function. I am sure there are other specific surgeries that may cover compressed heart or compressed aorta issues.
www.mayoclinic.org
I bet the surgical solutions to this condition greatly depend on the individual. And maybe on how much they have to spend. And how close to death they are.
I suspect that his wife's sister's comment about it be "cosmetic" surgery is the worst possible interpretation of the event in a long going divorce. Personally, I suspect Steven was being honest about what was happening to him and had zero choice.
I suspect his wife didn't give a shit as to WHY Steven wasn't there for her in the delivery of the babies. It was the absolute last straw. Crowder may have been too much of an autist to know how much she needed him there, even if he just sat in the corner of the room unable to do nothing else. He probably just thought she was like most men who would be fine with all of the medical care available to her. Meanwhile Crowder was probably worrying about his business, their income, and all of the bills they were racking up. An overwhelming urge to make sure that he was making money to cover it all.
I wouldn't expect Crowder to be that mobile after the surgery. In fact he was told he had to take it extremely easy. Titanium rods in the chest doesn't sound like fun.
Edit: It would be both sad and somewhat humorous if Crowder's constant need to be super buff and strong and cover up his concave chest is what exasperated his chest condition with the extra muscle constricting his lungs and heart.