RibXcar, Rib Remodeling, and the Risk of Chasing a Smaller Waist with Dr. Jessica Walker (Ep. 115)

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Tummy tucks and body contouring procedures are consistently some of the most popular surgeries in plastic surgery, and for good reason. Patients want to remove excess skin, repair their core, improve their waistline, and feel more confident in their body.

But what happens when the goal shifts from improving shape to changing the structure of the ribs?

In this episode of The Trillium Show, I’m joined again by Dr. Jessica Walker to talk about RibXcar, RibX, rib remodeling, rib removal, and the growing conversation around surgically altering the floating ribs to create a smaller, more dramatic waistline.

We break down what these procedures are designed to do, how rib remodeling differs from rib removal, why ultrasound technology is being used, and why post-operative compliance with a corset or waist trainer is such a major part of the result.

We also talk about the concerns that come with this trend: pneumothorax, bleeding, nerve or vessel injury, asymmetry, unrealistic expectations, and the bigger question of whether changing someone’s skeletal structure for a cosmetic waistline is really worth the risk.

This is one of those procedures that may look impressive online, but deserves a much deeper conversation before patients decide to pursue it. If you’ve seen RibXcar or rib contouring on social media and wondered what plastic surgeons actually think about it, this episode is for you.