Does Rib Removal Leave Big Noticable Scars?

Question

I want to get rib removal but I don't want to get big scars on my body, does rib removal surgery leave deep scar and can they fade away over time?

Rikesh T. Parikh, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Rib removal is usually performed through two incisions on the mid to lower back. Scarring can happen with any incision and is also dependent on the patients healing. Scars generally improve with time over a year or two. We try to keep the incisions as small as we can however we do need exposure to remove the ribs safely too.

S. Alexander Earle, MD, FACS · Answer

Any rib surgery involves incisions, so scars are part of the conversation. That said, the bigger issue for me is not just the scar. It is that rib removal is a very invasive operation that I do not think is worth the tradeoff. And it leaves longer scars. A better option is rib remodel surgery which achieves a smaller waist with minimal to no scarring.

Ali Gurlek, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question
Generally, the resection of ribs involves a long scar along the backside of the chest or upper waist. İ perform a minimally invasive approach to either limit the length of one incision per side or make 2 much smaller incisions. Smaller incisions result in smaller scar, less pain, and quicker recovery.

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

If you do it via an incision directly over the rib the scar would be very noticeable. If you did it via an abdominoplasty incision the scar would be covered by your undergarments and no different than for a regular abdominoplasty. It would not be safe without direct visual exposure by the surgeon necessitating the need for a big incision. You would have to take our more rib than is usually removed for reconstruction purposes in order to change the body outline. The question is why do you want rib removal and what do you think it will do for you.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I do not know any surgeons that  remove a rib for any reason but for reconstruction.  I use it for rhinoplasty and it does leave a moticeable albeit small scar on the chest.

Does Rib Removal Leave Big Noticable Scars?

Answers (5)

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