Are You Familiar With The Rib Fracture Technique For Waist Narrowing?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have been interested in rib/waist size reduction for most of my life. From the moment I was born, I had large ribs. 

That being said, the concept of rib removal has always felt terrifying and littered with too many negative side effects. I’ve known some people that have had it and they have mentioned that they have lost the ability to do some of their basic lifestyle activities. Cycling, weightlifting, etc. Bending in specific ways. 

It has always boggled my mind that someone has never thought of a way to do this by reshaping the ribcage. I always thought dentists and orthodontists do incredible things with teeth. Increasing jaw widths, moving teeth, etc. 

After continually searching, I finally found a procedure pioneered by a process of Waist Narrowing without Removal of Ribs. I was curious if you were familiar at all with this procedure and/or if you or anyone else in the United States had began its implementation?

A: Thank you for your inquiry. I have done hundreds of rib removals and have never see the complications/lifestyle limitations you have described.

But that issue aside I am very familiar with the rib fracture technique which is simply a scaled down version of the rib removal procedure, limited to ribs 11 ands 12 and relies heavily on postoperative corseting. Whether it is as effective as the more complete approach to rib removal surgery I can not say but my feeling is that it is for the patient who is more comfortable with a less invasive procedure and is willing to commit to 2 to 3 months of corset use.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana