Can Rib Removal Be Done Right Under The Breast?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Can the costal margin directly under the breast be shaved/reshaped/removed? Or is that not possible due to it be so close to the chest? Most people I’ve seen with costal margin protrusion are usually lower and not directly under the breast like mine(i have an extremely short torso).

A: The costal margin under the inframammary crease of the breast can be reduced or removed and is a common rib graft harvest site in nose and jaw surgery. The question is not whether it can be done but whether it can achieve the contouring effect that you desire. It is not clear to me yet how rib reduction in that area will improve a short torso.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana