Rib Removal Surgery

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am jnterested in rib removal surgery.I will like to slim my waist. I’m a bikini fitness competitor and my waist is very width. Off season (photo) I have 70 cm, in season I have 67 cm. I don’t know is there is another procedure that can help me slim my waist. I have been researching about ribs removal and I want to know how much time I could not exercise. And the most important question is how much could I slim my waist?

A: Given your picture I would agree that I don’t see anything else you could do on your own to narrow your waist any further. I suspect rib removal surgery could probably achieve a waistline reduction down to 62 to 64 cm in circumference . Time off from exercise would be totally dependent on how you feel but would most definitely be two to three weeks. There are no restrictions after surgery. You let your body tell you when to do any physical activities.

Rib removal surgery does leave a fine line scar as a residue from the procedure. So one has to be certain that aesthetic trade-off is a worthwhile one for the amount of waistline reduction seen.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana