Can My Ribcage Be Narrowed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am curious about ribcage narrowing. Removing my floating ribs wouldn’t make much difference I don’t think. It’s my side ribs that bulge out making my back too wide for my narrow frame. I have no fat really.

It’s rib 10,9,8. My floating ribs do not show much because my side ribs stick out. The sides of my ribs feel hollow.

My hips and legs are extremely small My ribcage is narrow from the side. Looked like the ribs squash sideways slightly.

A: Rib removal of the non-floating ribs is more limited than the floating ribs. Rib #10 can be partially removed as it wraps around the side of the torso and rib #9 can be shaved down in the same side torso area. This is the maximal ribcage reduction/.narrowing that can be done. I would also agree that removal of ribs# 11 and #12 is of no benefit to you in what you are trying to achieve.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon