The shape of the waistline is mostly determined by the condition of the bones, fat, muscle, and soft tissue in the area. A surgical procedure to remove some ribs may be necessary to get a reduced waist. The 11th and 12th ribs, which are visible at their ends and do not meet in the front of the body, can be minimally moved, or they can be removed, leaving a noticeable hollow in the waist.
Removing the ribs helps to achieve the desired waist shape by tightening the waistline. Patients often have liposuction and tummy tuck surgery in conjunction with this surgery to achieve the desired appearance more quickly.
After rib removal surgery, some patients have been observed to experience pain for up to two months. But many patients go back to their normal lives in 2 to 3 weeks. Even if the pain after surgery is bearable, care should be taken not to perform certain activities during the recovery period.
Cosmetic surgeons usually don't propose taking out ribs just for looks because there could be some risks. However, surgeons prefer to remove a rib as soon as possible rather than waiting for a rib to heal from cancer. In this case, rib removal may be performed when it is deemed more appropriate to remove the rib or when it is necessary to relieve a pinched nerve or for similar medical reasons. Whether it is necessary to remove the rib for medical reasons or for aesthetic reasons only, it is entirely the patient's choice whether to correct or remove the rib.
There may be some scarring after rib removal surgery. Even though the surgery is performed by the most experienced surgeons, some scarring may be visible at the incision sites where the ribs were accessed and removed. Scarring usually remains on the back of the chest or upper back.
Rib removal surgery is known to be one of the most difficult and complex. The ribs are very close to the organs below the body, and there is a possibility of damaging the organs during surgery. The experience and skill of the surgeon you choose are of great importance. Therefore, the patient's first task is to thoroughly research and find a qualified, experienced and specialist surgeon.
To get more detailed information, consult Op. Dr. Onur Oğan.