Can Rib #9 Be Removed in Rib Removal Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have questions on rib narrowing. I saw you on the Doctor’s Show and you said u can take out #11 and #12 and 10# and 9#. If  you take me on as a patient is it possible for you  to remove #12 #11 #10 #9 ribs?

A: In rib removal surgery for waistline narrowing  I always take ribs #11 and #12 and sometimes rib #10 if the pleura of the lung is not attached to it. But you can’t take rib #9, its is too far from the incision and almost assuredly has pleural attachments. That I have never done for waistline narrowing.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon