Rib Removal Before and After: Real Results & Risks

Yeah, let’s be real for a sec.

You’re here because you’ve been staring at your side profile, hands pressed just above your hips, thinking: Why does it look… boxed in? Why won’t my waist curve no matter how much I work out?

You’ve seen those images — soft, hourglass silhouettes that look impossible. And somewhere along the way, you heard a whisper: Some people get ribs removed.

And that thought stuck.

So now you’re searching “rib removal before and after,” wondering: Is it real? Does it work? And what in the world does it feel like?

Let’s talk about it — no filters, no scare tactics, no glossy promises. Just honest, down-to-earth info from someone who’s dug into real case studies, surgeon insights, and real patient experiences.

This isn’t your average cosmetic tweak. It’s deep. Permanent. And for some people — especially trans women or those with naturally straight frames — it can be life-changing.

What Is It?

So, rib removal isn’t about yanking out whole ribs like something out of a horror movie. Nope.

Most of the time, it’s called waist rib removal before and after because it’s focused on reshaping the lower torso — specifically, the last few ribs that flare out at your sides.

We’re talking about ribs #11 and #12 — the “floating” ones. They don’t connect to the breastbone. They don’t help you breathe. They’re just… there. Anchoring some muscles, giving your shape some structure.

Here’s the thing: if those little guys stick out, they make your waist look wider, even if you’re thin as a rail.

The surgery removes just the outer ends — about 3 to 5 inches — so the soft tissue above can gently collapse inward. Voilà: a softer, narrower waistline.

And sometimes? Surgeons go a step further and do a segmental resection of rib #10 — that’s the one just above — because even that can contribute to a boxy shape. But that one’s trickier. It’s thicker, and it sits closer to the lung, so extra caution is taken.

According to a 2023 case study on Explore Plastic Surgery, combining #10 resection with floating rib removal creates a more dramatic narrowing — especially for patients who’ve already had liposuction or BBLs.

Who Chooses It?

You’d be surprised how many different reasons bring people to this surgery.

It’s not just about “flat tummy” culture. It’s often something deeper.

Take MTF (male-to-female) patients, for example. For a lot of transgender women, the ribcage is one of the last features that doesn’t align with their identity. Even after hormones, even after breast augmentation, even after a BBL — the waist might still feel masculine. Hard. Angular.

That’s where mtf rib removal before and after comes in. It’s not vanity. It’s validation.

One case study shared by Dr. Barry Eppley followed a transgender woman who’d already had implants and liposuction. She said she’d worked out for years, ate clean, but still didn’t “feel” feminine in her body. After rib removal? She said, “For the first time, I saw curves when I turned sideways.”

Then there’s the other group: people who are already super lean — fitness influencers, dancers, models — who just want that final inch of definition. You know, the kind you can’t get from crunches or waist trainers.

They’ve tried everything. And still, their silhouette doesn’t cinch. So they look to rib removal as the last anatomical frontier.

What Changes?

Let’s get visual.

Picture your torso like a vase. Right now, maybe it’s shaped more like a cylinder — straight sides, no taper.

Rib removal is like gently pinching the middle of that vase inward. Not dramatically. But enough that when you move, when you wear a fitted dress, when you catch your reflection — you see a curve.

How much change? Most people report 1 to 2 inches of reduction at the narrowest part of the waist. Sounds small? On a human body, it’s actually huge.

And the results? They don’t show up right away. First week: swollen, sore, wrapped up like a mummy. Six weeks in: you start to see the new shape. Three to six months? That’s when it really settles.

If you’ve ever looked up floating rib removal before and after photos, you’ve probably seen some jaw-dropping transformations. But — and this is important — a lot of those patients also had liposuction, muscle trimming, or skin-tightening procedures.

RealSelf shares 19 patient-submitted photos of rib removal results. Scrolling through them, common themes jump out: happier side profiles, tighter midsections, visible inward slopes. But you also notice something else — the back scars.

Back There: Scars & Healing

Let’s not sugarcoat it. You’ll have scars.

Two small ones, usually about 5 cm each, tucked just under the lower ribcage on your back. They’re placed so your arms hide them when you’re standing naturally.

Now, the good news? They’re way smaller than scars from chest surgeries for medical reasons. And as one surgeon put it, most patients who get this done are so satisfied with the result that the scars feel like a fair trade.

But — your skin type matters. If you’re prone to keloids or hyperpigmentation, be real with your surgeon about that. Thick back skin doesn’t always heal “invisible,” but most people say they’d do it again, even knowing about the scars.

And yes — you’ll be sore. Really sore.

The first 72 hours? Dr. Eppley recommends nerve blocks and long-acting anesthetics like Exparel to help. After that? It’s about rest, pain management, and not moving like you’re in a dance battle.

Pain fades. The shape? That’s forever.

What Could Go Wrong?

I don’t say this to scare you. I say it because you deserve the full truth.

This isn’t like getting Botox and walking out. Rib removal is major surgery. It’s rare. And because it’s so uncommon, not every plastic surgeon should be doing it.

So, what are the risks?

The big one? Accidentally nicking the pleura — the lining around the lung. That could cause a pneumothorax (a collapsed lung). It’s rare, but it’s serious. That’s why rib #10 is handled carefully — it sits right over the lower lung.

Nerve damage is another concern. The intercostal nerves run under each rib. If one gets injured or forms a neuroma, it could lead to chronic pain. But — and this is key — Dr. Eppley has stated he’s never seen permanent pain in patients who’ve had aesthetic rib removal (unlike those who’ve had ribs removed for organ surgery). The surgical approach is different. The goal here is preservation, not invasion.

Then there’s the functional question: “Will I breathe okay?”

Short answer: Yes. The floating ribs don’t play a major role in respiration. Studies show removal doesn’t weaken lung function. You’ll be sore when you cough or laugh — but you won’t lose fitness long-term.

Still. It’s your body. Your ribs. Your lungs. It’s okay to feel nervous.

My advice? Ask your surgeon every question. Especially: “How many have you done?” Dr. Eppley does about 3–5 a year. That’s not a lot — which tells you how niche this is.

Combo Moves: BBL & Beyond

Let’s be honest — a lot of people don’t do rib removal alone.

It’s part of a bigger body transformation.

One of the most popular combos? BBL + rib removal. You lift the hips, narrow the waist — and suddenly, that hourglass isn’t a dream. It’s your reality.

Dr. Aaron Stone shared a case of a 46-year-old patient who had a tummy tuck revision, BBL, and rib removal. Thirty-one days after surgery? The difference was undeniable. Not Photoshop. Not padding. Just anatomy, reshaped.

And for people with loose skin — especially after major weight loss — a vertical backlift might come next. It’s like a “corset tuck” for your back, pulling everything tighter from spine to waistline.

One case study showed a patient did rib removal first, then the backlift a year later. The final result? As the surgeon put it: “Maximal waistline narrowing achieved.”

Procedure	Purpose	Commonly Paired With
Floating rib removal	Narrows waist at sides	BBL, liposuction
Tummy tuck	Tightens front abdomen	Rib removal, muscle repair
Vertical backlift	Removes loose back skin	Post-rib removal, after weight loss

➤ Looking for more about BBL? Check out How Much Is BBL Laser Treatment? What to Expect.

Is It Worth It?

You’re probably asking yourself: “Can I live with the scars? The pain? The permanence?”

And honestly? Only you can answer that.

For someone who’s worn baggy clothes for years to hide their shape, this surgery can feel liberating.

For others? Maybe it’s too far. Maybe waist training or fat transfer is enough.

What I keep coming back to is this: This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about aligning your outer self with your inner one. Whether you’re trans, body-conscious, or just tired of feeling “stuck,” this can be a tool — not a fix, not a magic wand, but a step.

But promise me something? If you go down this path, do it with your eyes wide open.

See real photos. Talk to real surgeons. Read real stories. Don’t rush. This isn’t something you undo.

Final Thoughts

You didn’t get here by accident.

You’ve thought about this. Researched it. Slept on it. Maybe even cried over it.

And that’s good.

Because decisions like this — ones that change your body in permanent ways — should be made with care, not impulse.

Rib removal before and after isn’t just about photos. It’s about how you feel when you tie your shirt. When you wear a swimsuit. When someone says, “You look different — in a good way.”

Yes, it’s intense. Yes, it’s risky.

But for the right person, at the right time, with the right surgeon? It can be one of the most affirming choices they’ve ever made.

If you’re on the fence, that’s okay. Sit with it. Ask more questions. Talk to people who’ve done it.

And if you do move forward? I hope you feel proud. Seen. Finally… like yourself.

What do you think? Where do you stand on this? If you’ve got thoughts, questions, or even just a story to share — I’m here. Always.