What Is The Difference between Rib Removal vs Rib Fracture For Waistline Narrowing?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Im interested in the procedure of Rib removal. Can you please provide me more information. I want to know if the ribs are going to be removal or just break them and leave it inside the body. I’m a little confused about that part.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. There are two methods of waistline narrowing by lower ribcage manipulation, removal vs fracture. I most commonly perform rib removal for waistline narrowing which also includes flank liposuction and muscle trimming…which provides the most comprehensive approach to the inward movement of the waistline. Rib fracture is as the name implies where the ribs are cut and left in place and relies heavily on postoperative corseting to achieve some inward waistline movement. The rib fracture method does not produce as much of a result as rib removal but offers a less invasive surgery and a quicker recovery.

Barry Eppley, M.D., D.M.D.

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon