If you want to achieve a slimmer figure, what aesthetic procedure do you turn to? If you’re a traditionalist, you might say liposuction. If you prefer non-invasive solutions, you might go with cryolipolysis, or “fat freezing.” And if you’re looking for something simple, minimally invasive, and permanent, Dr. Ramsen Azizi has a suggestion you probably haven’t heard of before: rib remodeling.
Dr. Azizi is a Chicago-based, double board-certified plastic surgeon who offers a suite of transformative procedures at R.A.M. Plastic Surgery, a center known for its top-level aesthetic body contouring and service. As of late, rib remodeling is the one generating the most buzz.
“Rib remodeling is the hot new thing in the plastic surgery field,” he explains. “It’s been around in Russia and South America for some time, but it’s only recently been brought to the U.S.”
Rib remodeling was developed as a safer alternative to rib removals, a procedure that involves removing the lower ribs to create a narrower waist. Removing ribs creates a dramatic and permanent aesthetic change, but it also leaves internal organs relatively unprotected and can lead to issues with pain or healing.
Rib remodeling achieves a similar aesthetic with much less risk. “It’s safer than rib removals,” Dr. Azizi explains. “There are no scars, and it can permanently removes three to four inches from your waist.”
So how does it work? “I start by putting a needle poke incision in the back,” he says. “Then I create a controlled mini fracture the rib and curve it further in.” The surgery itself only lasts about an hour, and patients are required to wear a corset for around 90 days as they heal.
The term “rib remodeling” might make you think of home renovations. Surprisingly, the two have more similarities than you might think. Both involve making creative structural changes to achieve a desired aesthetic.
Dr. Azizi says that no two cosmetic procedures are the same. Before doing any kind of work on a patient, he meets with them and develops a customized surgical plan. As part of that preliminary workup, Dr. Azizi helps patients determine whether a given procedure is right for them.
Rib remodeling is popular because the results it delivers are arguably more permanent than those of liposuction. With lipo, fat cells are extracted from the patient’s body, and the removed cells don’t regenerate. However, if the patient gains weight after the procedure, fat cells in other areas of the body can become enlarged.
Rib remodeling can help patients get closer to their dream physiques, but Dr. Azizi usually only recommends it to those who are almost where they want to be.
“The procedure seems to work best in patients with a BMI under 28,” he says. “I see optimal results in those with a BMI under 25.”
Rib remodeling is still relatively new in the United States, and Dr. Azizi is the first practitioner in Chicago to offer it. As someone who trained with the master surgeons who innovated the procedure, he has a deep appreciation for the artistry involved, and it shows in his results.
“I chose this career path because I love being able to connect with patients who have aesthetic needs and help them through their transformation,” says Dr. Azizi. “I love the creativity and outside-the-box thinking involved in shaping the body.”
