Warning as ‘drastic’ new surgery explodes in popularity amid trend overseas

Women are paying up to $20,000 for a controversial procedure amid growing fears a terrifying body trend is making a comeback overseas.

A 28-year-old has issued a warning after taking part in a dangerous body trend overseas by having six ribs removed.

Imagery showing “unhealthily thin” bodies has slowly been on the rise, sparking fears an aesthetic characterised by models in the 90s and early 2000s is making a comeback.

The use of GLP-1 drugs as approved and off-script weight loss medications hasn’t helped,

with celebrities such as Amy Schumer, Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Trainor all turning to the jab in an effort to change their bodies.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not approved Ozempic for weight loss.

However, the TGA has approved product Wegovy, another brand of semaglutide with data estimating half a million Australians are using the medication initially intended to treat diabetes.

Emily James, has taken it one step further, opting for a controversial surgery to remove six ribs in her quest for “perfection”, the New York Post reported.

However, the $13,750 (AU$20,800) procedure has turned her life into a waking nightmare, she said.

Emily James, 28, opted for a controversial rib removal procedure that saw her have 6 ribs taken out. Picture: Emily James

She said she regrets the decision, describing it as ‘incredibly painful’. Picture: Emily James

After three ribs taken from each side of her body, the influencer said she had nothing but regret over her decision to go for the not-so-quick fix.

“I don’t recommend rib removal surgery to anyone,” Ms James told the publication, one year on from the elective procedure she said put some of her most vital organs in danger.

“There are no longer ribs protecting my liver and kidneys, which could be a problem if I’m ever in a bad accident or experience an extreme impact.

“The recovery process took about seven months. It was intense and incredibly painful. Coughing felt like someone was murdering me.”

Ms James said it took seven months for her body to heal. Picture: Emily James

Sadly, she’s not the only person undergoing the procedure, known as rib resection or “ant-waist surgery”.

To create the worrying look, doctors typically saw off the 11th and 12th ribs, which are often referred to as the “floating ribs” because they’re not connected to the front of the rib cage.

The high-risk operation has been around since the 1970s — when it was unappealing enough to turn off those seeking dramatic transformations on impulse.

Studies have shown the controversial cosmetic procedure comes with significant risks, including lung issues, potential organ damage, and chronic pain.

The use of such procedure is heavily regulated in Australia given the high risks involved, including by way of Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and procedures. GP consultation is mandatory, as is mental-health screening.

Shiqi Ma says she had a new rib surgery ahead of her Bali wedding. Picture: Doctor Thomas Sterry

But now, the dangerous body trend is exploding in popularity again overseas, spawning a new version of the procedure known as rib remodelling, or RibXcar.

The new technique isn’t yet available in Australia, but the procedure is popular in Europe and the Americas, with the results alarmingly dubbed “Barbie waist”.

It involves fracturing and reshaping the lower ribs using tiny entry points (

Shiqi Ma, from New York, underwent the RibXcar procedure earlier this year, at a cost of $10,000 (AU $15,000).

“I did this to feel confident on my Wedding day,” the 27-year-old accountant told the New York Post.

“I’m excited to see my wedding pictures and not feel the need to photoshop them.”

It was Ms Ma’s first cosmetic procedure, for which she was put under anaesthesia. She said the pricey ordeal came with minimal pain and slight swelling, although this is not the case for many patients.

Once out of the operating room, patients must wear a waist-training corset for at least 23 hours per day for three months. The corset acts as a cast, holding the fractured bones in their new positions during recovery.

Enna Schell, 34, is another who has chosen to undergo the controversial procedure. Picture: Enna Schell

But experts warn that these drastic surgeries can do more harm than good. Picture: Enna Schell

Enna Schell, 34, who’s only a month post-op following the procedure, said she spent $12,000 (AU $18,170) on the body modification.

Her plan is to be in “hibernation” during the winter months in the northern hemisphere while she recovered and wears the corset.

But NYC psychotherapist, Lesley Koeppel, warnedthat before undergoing any major procedure, candidates need to be sure they’re doing so for the right reasons.

“These kinds of drastic cosmetic surgeries can offer a temporary boost in self image, but they also carry the risk of reinforcing the belief that one’s worth depends on how they look and on meeting trends in society,” she told the New York Post.

“When surgery becomes the main way to manage this insecurity or discomfort with one’s body, the long-term emotional outcome is often fragile.

“Sustainable self image comes from the internal work, such as with a therapist, not from continually altering one’s body in response to cultural expectations.”

Rib removal and rib shaving for cosmetic purposes is a high-risk procedure not endorsed by Australian health authorities for aesthetic reasons.

Ahpra advises that patients should prioritise safety over aesthetic results and report any concerns about unsafe practices.

— With the New York Post

Originally published as Warning as ‘drastic’ new surgery explodes in popularity amid trend overseas