Rib reconstruction surgery is gaining popularity
Plastic surgeons suspect there are several reasons for the recent increase in people inquiring about rib modifications.
Although new beauty treatments are gaining popularity, medical professionals are making no bones about it, although some plastic surgery is still being done.
This is called “rib remodeling,” and it is a surgical procedure that surgically changes the ribs to make the waist look smaller. Recovery is difficult and expensive. Although it is much safer than alternative rib removal surgery, it is not without risks.
Plastic surgeons suspect there may be several reasons for the recent uptick in inquiries about rib modifications, which first surfaced in the United States about two years ago. First of all, cosmetic surgery in general is less stigmatized than it used to be, and more people are seeking it out. Social media may also have increased people’s awareness of this procedure.
This trend also comes at a time when weight loss drugs are on the rise, more ultra-skinny physiques seem to be dominating the red carpet, and some social media users are building a platform out of their pursuit of outward thinness.
“It started with people removing ribs, but we don’t do that anymore,” says Dr. Oren Tessler, a plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon in Arizona and founder of Define Plastic Surgery. “But in reality, as you lose weight and reach optimal fitness, for example, the bottleneck is the restriction of your waist and how thin you can get compared to your hips. That’s the lower rib cage.”
What is “rib remodeling”?
Dr. Joseph Hadeed, a double-board certified plastic surgeon, says liposuction used to be the main cosmetic procedure for slimming the waist. However, liposuction also has its limitations. The amount of fat deposited on each person’s waist varies. Moreover, after all, the shape of the torso is largely determined by the skeleton.
In addition to liposuction, I previously had two lower ribs removed to slim my waist. However, this caused serious health problems. After all, Hadid says, the ribs are the “structural foundation of the torso.” “If you remove the foundation of the house, it will crumble and collapse.”
Rib remodeling does not remove any bone. Instead, the ribs are surgically altered, intentionally breaking the ribs so that they heal in a different way. Hadeed said that although there is a risk of lung damage, the procedure is generally safe when performed by surgeons specially trained for the procedure.
Recovery usually takes three months and involves wearing a corset regularly to help the ribs heal in the desired position. Failure to do so may spoil the results.
Recovery is not easy and the procedure is expensive. Rib modifications typically cost between $10,000 and $15,000. According to Tessler, this can reduce your waist by an additional 2 to 5 inches.
Tesler said people seeking rib alterations tend to be already thin, but they also want an even smaller waist. Some people have a more naturally “boxy” physique and desire curves, he says. Some transgender people try to feminize their torso.
Jennifer Lasher, a woman living in Canada, underwent treatment with Hadid about a year ago. Previously, she tried wearing corsets to achieve the look she naturally desired. She thought rib reconstruction was a permanent solution.
“I’ve always had a bit of a hard time looking like I have a feminine, curvaceous body,” she says.
The first four weeks of recovery were difficult for her. “I felt like I was blown away by the wind,” she says.
Still, she says it was worth it for her.
What the rise of “rib reconstruction” says about us
Rib modification has entered the culture at a time when the pursuit of external thinness appears to be on the rise, and mental health experts say the trend is having a profound impact on people’s body image.
“The desire to be healthier and engage in wellness is returning to the public profession for a while,” Lizzie Pope, an associate professor at the University of Vermont whose research focuses on how diet culture manifests in popular culture and social media, previously told USA TODAY. “What I’m seeing is that the language is becoming accepted again.”
GLP-1 has allowed a new segment of the population to consider elective procedures that were previously unavailable, Tessler added.
“It’s liberating a large part of the population that traditionally hasn’t had the time or energy to think about these things,” Tessler said. “It’s like going to the gym, having a basic goal, and once you reach your goal, you want to do a little more. … GLP is unlocking a lot and giving people the opportunity to even have aspirations that they didn’t have before.”
Contributor: Rachel HaleThis story has been updated to include graphics.
