Is RibXcar Surgery Painful?

Most patients experience discomfort, tightness, or soreness during the early recovery phase, which is manageable with prescribed medication. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia so that you won’t feel pain during surgery. As healing progresses, discomfort typically decreases significantly within the first couple of weeks. Our team works closely with each patient to ensure comfort and a smooth recovery.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You will typically have a consultation appointment, a preoperative visit, the surgery itself, and several postoperative follow-ups. These follow-up visits allow Dr. Li to monitor your healing and ensure your RibXcar surgery results are progressing as expected. The exact number of appointments may vary depending on your needs and healing process, but most patients have between three and five visits in total.

How Long Until I See Results?

Some initial changes can be seen once swelling begins to decrease within a few weeks, but full results develop gradually over several months. As the tissues heal and inflammation resolves, your waistline will become more sculpted and defined. RibXcar surgery results in the Bay Area are long-lasting, and many patients enjoy noticeable improvements once the final contours settle.

Can I Combine RibXcar Surgery With Other Procedures?

Yes, RibXcar surgery can be combined with other body contouring treatments depending on your goals and anatomy. Some patients choose to pair it with liposuction or buttock fat transfer procedures for more dramatic results. If you’re interested in combination procedures, Dr. Li will review options during your consultation and help you decide what is safe and effective for your body.

What Are the Risks Associated With RibXcar Surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, RibXcar surgery carries risks that may include bleeding, infection, soreness, swelling, or temporary changes in sensation. More specific risks related to rib modification will be discussed during your consultation, so you understand every part of the procedure. Choosing a highly trained surgeon like Dr. Li helps minimize these risks and ensures your safety is always prioritized.

RibXcar Surgery

In San Jose, CA

RibXcar Surgery Introduction

At CA Aesthetics in Los Gatos, we’re proud to offer RibXcar surgery to patients in San Jose and the greater Bay Area who want a more defined, contoured waistline. Led by double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Li, our practice is known for delivering natural-looking results using advanced, precise techniques. Many patients from San Jose seek RibXcar surgery to achieve a slimmer, more sculpted silhouette that feels balanced with their overall body frame.

We understand that every patient’s goals are unique, which is why we personalize every RibXcar surgical plan based on your anatomy and desired outcome. Whether you’re looking for enhanced waist definition, a more tapered torso, or improved proportions, our team will guide you through each step with clarity and support. At CA Aesthetics, our focus is always on safety, comfort, and results that look seamless and refined.

ethnic woman leaning back in bed | CA Aesthetics by Dr. Li

What is RibXcar Surgery?

RibXcar Surgery is a specialized cosmetic procedure designed to reduce the width of the lower ribcage and enhance waistline definition. This technique remodels portions of the lower ribs to create a more tapered, hourglass-style contour without any major incisions. Patients often seek RibXcar surgery in the San Jose area when traditional body contouring alone cannot achieve their desired waist shape.

During the procedure, Dr. Li uses advanced surgical techniques and technologies to ensure precision while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissues. The approach focuses on achieving a balanced, harmonious silhouette without compromising breathing or structural integrity. RibXcar surgery may be performed alone or in combination with other contouring procedures based on your goals.

Many patients appreciate that RibXcar surgery provides permanent changes to the waistline that cannot be achieved with diet, exercise, or non-surgical treatments. The result is a noticeably slimmer torso and improved confidence in form-fitting clothing or swimwear.

What Are the Benefits of RibXcar Surgery?

RibXcar surgery offers several unique benefits for patients seeking more dramatic or sculpted waistline contouring. Many patients choose RibXcar surgery in San Jose when they want results that go beyond what standard liposuction or body contouring can achieve.

Some of the key benefits include:

A more defined and tapered waistline
Permanent changes to rib structure for long-lasting results
Enhanced lower torso proportions
Improved silhouette in clothing and swimwear
Ability to pair with other contouring procedures for a more dramatic transformation

These benefits make RibXcar surgery an appealing choice for patients who want high-impact results with a focus on overall balance and aesthetics. Dr. Li’s meticulous approach ensures the outcome enhances your natural frame rather than overpowering it.

Who Are the Best Candidates For RibXcar Surgery?

The best candidates for RibXcar surgery in San Jose are individuals seeking a slimmer, more contoured waistline and changes that traditional body contouring alone cannot achieve. Ideal patients typically have specific concerns about rib width or lower rib prominence that impact their desired silhouette.

Candidates may include individuals who:

Want a more dramatic waistline definition
Have a naturally wider ribcage that limits torso shape
Are in good overall health and are nonsmokers
Have realistic expectations about surgical results
Are already at or near a stable body weight

RibXcar surgery may also appeal to patients who want to enhance their proportions to match their hips, bust, or overall frame. During your consultation at CA Aesthetics, we’ll determine whether this procedure aligns with your goals and anatomy.

woman in white bra dancing | CA Aesthetics by Dr. Li

RibXcar Surgery First Step

What’s the first step?

The first step toward RibXcar surgery at CA Aesthetics is scheduling a private consultation with Dr. Li. During this visit, we’ll review your medical history, evaluate your torso anatomy, and discuss the aesthetic goals you hope to achieve with RibXcar surgery in the San Jose or Bay Area. This is your opportunity to ask questions, explore surgical options, and learn exactly what the procedure involves.

We’ll also create a fully personalized surgical plan that outlines the techniques needed to achieve your ideal shape. Every patient receives a clear overview of expected results, anesthesia options, and the recovery process. Our goal in this first step is to ensure you feel confident, prepared, and supported throughout your surgical journey.

What to Expect on the Day of RibXcar Surgery

On the day of RibXcar surgery, our team will welcome you into our accredited surgical facility and guide you through each step of the process. RibXcar surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Once you are safely under anesthesia, Dr. Li will begin making small, pinhole incisions designed to minimize visible scarring while allowing access to the targeted ribs. Through these minor incisions, a Piezotome is used to create controlled fractures on one side of the bone.

Using precise surgical techniques, ribs are remodeled to create a more tapered waistline with minimal scarring. Throughout the procedure, our team prioritizes safety, careful tissue handling, and structural stability. Once the surgical adjustments are complete, the incisions are closed, and you’ll be moved to a comfortable recovery area.

Most patients return home the same day with detailed postoperative instructions. Our team will support you closely during the earliest stages of healing to ensure you have everything you need for a smooth recovery.

RibXcar Surgery Recovery

Recovery from RibXcar surgery requires time, rest, and patience as your body adjusts to the changes made during surgery. Most patients in San Jose can expect a few weeks of controlled movement and activity limitations to support proper healing. Mild discomfort, swelling, and tightness around the ribs are common but improve steadily during recovery.

You will be provided with a specific compression garment and medications to support comfort and reduce swelling. The garment is worn for at least two to three months while the ribs heal and final results take shape. Most patients can resume light daily activities after a couple of weeks, although strenuous exercise should be avoided until cleared by Dr. Li. Follow-up appointments are essential to ensure healing is progressing as expected.

Over the months following surgery, the waistline continues to refine as swelling resolves and the new silhouette becomes more visible. RibXcar surgery results are long-lasting, and most patients enjoy a noticeably slimmer, more sculpted torso once healing is complete.

RibXcar Surgery Cost

How Much Does RibXcar Surgery Cost in San Jose, CA?

The cost of RibXcar surgery in Los Gatos, San Jose, and the broader Bay Area varies depending on the complexity of your surgical plan and the techniques needed to achieve your goals. Factors that influence pricing include the extent of rib reshaping, surgical time, anesthesia fees, and the overall scope of your personalized plan.

During your consultation at CA Aesthetics, we’ll provide a detailed quote that reflects your unique needs. RibXcar surgery is a highly specialized procedure, so that costs may differ from those of standard body contouring surgeries. We’re committed to transparency and will review all pricing details so you feel informed and confident in your decision.

Real Patient Reviews

I recently had brachioplasty surgery ( arm lift) & I am very happy with the results! My arms look so much better & my scar is minimal (and will improve more with time!) Dr. Li is easy to work with, and answers any and all questions. The office staff is nice & efficient and I really liked the nurse at the surgery center. I am glad I chose CA Aesthetics and that I can move forward with more confidence and better fitting clothes!

— Stefanie Brown

Why choose Dr. Li?

Choosing the right surgeon is essential for a safe procedure and natural–looking results. Dr. Eric Li is a dual board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in complex and specialized body contouring techniques, including RibXcar surgery. As a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), his meticulous approach and deep understanding of patient anatomy allow him to deliver balanced, refined outcomes for RibXcar patients in San Jose and the surrounding Bay Area.

Dr. Li attended the 2026 RibXcar Paris Conference hosted by the Body Contouring Academy, where he completed advanced, certification-based training in RibXcar techniques alongside leading international experts, including Dr. Raúl Manzaneda Cipriani (founder of the technique) and Dr. Alexis Delobaux. This specialized education enables Dr. Li to integrate the most current RibXcar techniques and precision-based approaches into his practice.

At CA Aesthetics, we prioritize patient comfort, education, and individualized care. Our team is committed to providing a supportive experience from consultation through recovery, ensuring you always feel heard and cared for. Patients choose Dr. Li for his expertise, precision, and dedication to achieving beautiful results that align with each patient’s goals.

RibXcar Surgery FAQ’S

Most patients experience discomfort, tightness, or soreness during the early recovery phase, which is manageable with prescribed medication. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia so that you won’t feel pain during surgery. As healing progresses, discomfort typically decreases significantly within the first couple of weeks. Our team works closely with each patient to ensure comfort and a smooth recovery.
You will typically have a consultation appointment, a preoperative visit, the surgery itself, and several postoperative follow-ups. These follow-up visits allow Dr. Li to monitor your healing and ensure your RibXcar surgery results are progressing as expected. The exact number of appointments may vary depending on your needs and healing process, but most patients have between three and five visits in total.
Some initial changes can be seen once swelling begins to decrease within a few weeks, but full results develop gradually over several months. As the tissues heal and inflammation resolves, your waistline will become more sculpted and defined. RibXcar surgery results in the Bay Area are long-lasting, and many patients enjoy noticeable improvements once the final contours settle.
Yes, RibXcar surgery can be combined with other body contouring treatments depending on your goals and anatomy. Some patients choose to pair it with liposuction or buttock fat transfer procedures for more dramatic results. If you’re interested in combination procedures, Dr. Li will review options during your consultation and help you decide what is safe and effective for your body.
As with any surgical procedure, RibXcar surgery carries risks that may include bleeding, infection, soreness, swelling, or temporary changes in sensation. More specific risks related to rib modification will be discussed during your consultation, so you understand every part of the procedure. Choosing a highly trained surgeon like Dr. Li helps minimize these risks and ensures your safety is always prioritized.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re ready to explore RibXcar surgery in San Jose or want to learn more about how this specialized procedure can enhance your waistline, we invite you to schedule a consultation at CA Aesthetics. Our team will guide you through every step, from understanding the procedure to preparing for surgery and recovery. Your transformation begins with a conversation, and we’re here to help you make informed, confident decisions about your care.

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