Prominent Ribcage and Breast Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a question regarding a prominent ribcage and breast implants. I’m only 4’9 and 90 lbs,my rib cage measures 29 inches which for my frame is quite large and my breasts are about a 34a..My question is would breast implants help balance out my upper body and maybe help to make my rib cage less wide? Thank you.

A: While I have no knowledge as to what your exact body looks like, it would be logical to assume that larger breasts would help to camouflage a more prominent ribcage that lies below them. While the location of the flare of the ribcage lies well below that of the breasts, if the ribcage sticks out more than the projection of the breasts one could easily assume that increasing the size of the breasts would be of benefit.

This is a body contouring question I have heard numerous times before and, having done breast implants in such patients, my and the patient’s observation has been that it has been effective in that regard. It does not completely eliminate the ribcage protrusion, as it obviously does not affect It directly, but does provide a camouflaging effect.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana