Can Rib Removal Surgery Help Reduce A Wide Ribcage?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello! I have two questions: one, how much does rib shaving cost (or could you give me a start-up estimate)? Two, is it possible to shave down the width of a ribcage? Mine is terribly wide and it gives the illusion of a male shape. This is NOT what I want. I’m also a bit short, which makes it worse! I’d love more of a rectangular shape. Almost adolescent in nature. Thank you!!

A:Rib removal surgery is for specific areas of reductions around the ribcage like the waistline or the subcostal margin. It can not be done for an overall ribcage width reduction as that involves too many ribs to try and reduce. It would not be effective for that aesthetic ribcage concern.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana