Can Ribcage Narrowing Be Done Through A Tummy Tuck?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in ribcage narrowing. I came to your website as I was researching a couple procedures. I am 33 year old male to female transsexual. My waistline and hip area have always bothered me. I have pretty good shape but I have always wanted curvy hips and waistline. I have spoken with many physician’s everywhere and located a couple of options for rib resection. I thoroughly enjoyed your article on ribcage narrowing. I have been studying the process and anatomy for a long time and this was a very nice description and summation. It seems as though you’ve had some hands-on experience in this procedure. I am having my breast implants replaced in a couple months. My surgeon mentioned tummy tuck at sometime in the future. I know I have a little pooch and would like that. But I really would like it by aiding access for Thoracoplasty at the same time. The other procedure is an enhancement to my nipples. I have large breast 36D but sadly I have short, flaccid & small diameter nipples and would like them to be fuller length & diameter and also perkier. Thank you once again for your time.

A: Rib resection can be done at the same time and through the same access as a tummy tuck…depending upon what type of tummy tuck is being done. In a full tummy tuck, the elevation of the upper abdominal skin flap is done right up to the subcostal margin which provides direct access to the lower rib cage. However, during a mini-tummy tuck, there is little to no elevation of the upper abdominal skin flap and the access is better done by direct incisions over the lower rib cage.

From a nipple enlargement/enhancement standpoint, the only really effective approach would be fat injections. Injecting fat can both thicken, lengthen and stiffen the nipples with a minimal risk of any loss of feeling.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana